USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Plymouth church records, 1620-1859 > Part 34
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Application was made to ye above named ministers to Recommend some Candidate to us but they Could not Recommend any that they had any good degree of acquaintance with, at Least were not United in any to advise us to.
Monday the 27th of August at a Church meeting duly Notifyed Tho' Foster was Chosen moderator, the meeting was opened with Prayer and then held a Considerable Conference Relating to what steps were proper for ye Church to take under our Difficulties but Considering there were so few Brethren at the meeting the meeting was adjourned to Monday ye 3ª of September Next to meet at y meeting house in the first Precinct at three aClock in ye afternoon. The Chh mett at the adjournment ye meeting was opened with prayer
1 Voted that some Person be Chosen to go to Connecticutt and there to Confer with those ministers that were at the Councell at Guilford when this Church & Congregation made application to the Revª M. Sprout to settle with us in the ministry and take their & other ministers [32] Advice with Regard to making a second ap- plication to y. Revª M" Sprout to settle with us and to Confer with
1. Here the words "in a" are crossed out.
" This word has been altered.
. Here a word is crossed out.
" This word has been altered.
" Altered from "was."
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320
PLYMOUTH CHURCH RECORDS: VOLUME II
the Revª M' Sprout & with his Church and see if there be any open- ing or grounds to hope that M' Sproute may be peaceably obtained if this Church and Congregation should Renew 1 their Call and application to him and to make Report to this Church & Congrega- tion Also if there be no encouragement of Mr Sprouts being ob- tained to See if a Candidate maynt be obtained to Come and preach to us for two or three months, or if their should be Encouragement of obtaining M' Sproute to Endeavor to procure a Candidate to preach to us for some time at least So long as ye Church & Congrega- tion shall have Determined whether they will make another applica- tion to ye Revd M. Sprout or not
2 Voted that Thomas Foster Esq" be the person to go to Conecti- cutt & make application to the ministers &c agreable to the Vote of the Church
3 Voted that Deacon Bartlett George Watson Esq" & Thomas Mayhew be a Come to Joyn with a Comtee of the Precinct to pro- cure some proper Person to Supply y Pulpit for the three Coming Sabbaths
4 Voted that ye moderator Lay these Votes before the Precinct for their Concurrence and for the Precinct if they See Cause to Chose Some proper person to go to Connecticutt with Deacon Foster upon ye Business mentiond in the Votes of the Church
These Votes were Laid before the Precinct y. Precinct Concured them Chose a Comtee to Joyn ye Churchs in providing Some proper person to Supply ye pulpit. & Deacon Foster to go to Conecticut.
Accordingly Mr Williamson of Philadelphia who was in these parts was obtained to Preach the three Sabbaths, & Deacon Foster went to New haven it being their Commencement, advised with ye former Councell & a number of other ministers who advised yt M" Bellamy ' should go with him to Guilford and Confer with Mr Sprouts Chh & Congregation about M' Sprouts Removal to Plym- outh and ' [33] See if they Cod not be pravaild with to Consent yt Mª Sprout should go to Plymouth or Joyn with the Chh of Plymouth In Calling another Councell to advse them in ye affair. M" Bellamy ‘
1 Altered from "renewed."
" The fifth letter in this name has been altered.
" This word is in the hand of Mr. John Cotton.
" The fifth letter in this word has been altered.
1
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321
CHANDLER ROBBINS CHOSEN PASTOR, 1759
accordingly went and spent several days there & took a great deal of pains with the people to bring them to one or the other of ye fore- mentioned proposals but they would Consent to nothing nor Conde- send in the Least to any proposals Relatave to M' Sprouts Removal, when all hopes as to M' Sprout faild M' Chandler Robbins was advised to as a Candidate who then had a Call under his Consid- eration from ye Church & Society in Middlefeild in Connecticutt accordingly I applyed to him who after some time of Consideration & taking advice Concluded to Give a Negative Answer to middle- feild & Come to Plymouth. I Returned to Plymº a Saturday night before the Last day of MY Williamson" Preaching Expired the Chh & Congregation was stayed aftr Service was over at Night & I Re- ported what I had done and the Next Sabbath M' Robbins Came and began to Preach with us and Continued to Preach to us, to the 30th of October 1759, when the Church had a meeting in the meeting house in the First Precinct upon Tuseday1 of yo sd 30th of October at two aClock in the afternoon The Church being duly Notifyed Thomas Foster was Chosen Moderator and the meeting was opened with prayer
The Question was first put whether the Chh wod now Come to y' Choice of a Pastor it Passed in the affirmative there being only 2 Votes to the Contrary Then the moderator Called upon the Brethren to bring in their Votes for a Pastor in writing (there being 36 Votes present) and aftr Serious Consideration & Earnest application to the throne of grace for Direction and that God wo'd favor this Chh with a rich ascension Gift of our ascended Lord & Redeemer the Votes being brought in upon Sorting & Numbring the Same it ap- peared that M" Chandler Robbins had 33 Votes Mr Hugh William- son two & one member yt did not Vote [84]
Then the Church Voted to Chose five Persons a Comtes to Lay ye Vote of ye Church Chosing M' Chandler Robbins For their Pastor before the Precinct for their Concurrence Viz Thomas Foster Coll Watson Tho" Spoonr Deacon Bartlett & Deacon torry
Then the Question was Put whether it be the mind of this Church in Case the Precinct concur the Church" Choice of M' Chandler Robbins for their Pastor that before M' Robbins Gives his answer he should declare his assent & Consent to the New England Confes-
1 The first part of this word has been altered.
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PLYMOUTH CHURCH RECORDS: VOLUME II
sion of faith Commonly Received in these Churches, or Exhibit one in writing to the Satisfaction of the Church; it Passed in the affirmative.
Then the Church Voted That Tho' Foster Doctr LeBaron, Deacon Bartlett Thomas Mayhew & Deacon Torrey be a Comte to Joyn with a Comtee of the Precinct (provided the Precinct Concur the Churches Choice) to Cause the Votes of the Church & Precinct in some Suitable manner to be Laid before M' Robbins for his accept- ance. Praying that God wo'd Incline his heart to accept the Call and that he may prove a great Blesing to us and ours that at last both he that sows and we that Reap may Rejoice together.
The Votes of the Church were accordingly Laid before the Pre- cinct at a meeting of the first Precinct Called & duly warned for that Purpose and the Precinct Concurred the Churches Choice and Joyned a Comtee to Lay y. Votes of Church and Precinct before MF Robbins which was accordingly done, and after some time of Con- sideration & advice M' Robbins gave his answer, after Publickly declaring before the Church & Congregation his assent & Consent to the New England Confession' of1 faith agreable to the Vote afore mentioned and the answer is as follows 2 [35]
Mª Robbins's Answer to the Call &c ª To the first Church & Congregation in Plymouth
DEARLY BELOVED FRIENDS,
Inasmuch as God has in his wise, overuling Providence disposd your Hearts in such a Manner, as that you have given me a Call & an Invita- tion to settle with you in the Work of yo Gospel Ministry; It appearing to me an Affair of very great Consequence & Importance, I have not dard to rush on hastily in any Conclusions about it. I have therefore, (together with the deliberate Advice of pious & judicious Friends) I trust made serious & earnest Application to the Throne of Grace, to beg Direction of ye great Fountain of Wisdom, & Head of all divine Influences in the important Matter before me. And reflecting upon the kind & generous Disposition which you have manifested towards me, & seriously considering all the various Steps of divine Providence, relative to my coming among you, & your calling me to settle with
1 This word, apparently in the hand of Mr. John Cotton, is interlined.
" Here end the entries in the hand of Deacon Thomas Foster.
* This entry is in the hand of the Rev. Chandler Robbins.
323
ACCEPTANCE OF CHANDLER ROBBINS, 1759
You, I have - (I would speak it with the profoundest Sense of my Unworthiness & Insufficiency for a Work so important & arduous, & wth humble Reliance & hearty Dependance on God for his needed Spirit & Presence thro the whole of the Work) - concluded to Accept of your Call & to settle in the Work of the Gospel-Ministry with You. - Now earnestly requesting your joint & fervent Prayers, that God would in great Mercy follow this Conclusion with his Blessing; that the future Relation, which, by the Leave of Providence, we may sustain to Each other may not be in Judgment to either of us. And that God would grant to a very weak Instrument, all that Wisdom, Grace, Knowledge, Prudence & the special Aids & assisting Influences of his holy Spirit, so absolutely necessary for the right & faithful Discharge of so important and momentous a Trust. And that my Labours among you may not be in vain in the Lord; but that we may be mutually serviceable to, & instrumental in building one another up in Holiness & Comfort thro Faith to Salvation. and that at last, both You & I, he that sowes & they that reap, may of Gods free & rich Grace thro our Lord Jesus Christ, be admitted to rejoice together in a World of Eternal & glorious Rewards.
I am Yours in the dearest Bonds of Love & Christian Fellowship CHANDLER . ROBBINS
NB. This Answer was read Dec' 23ª 1759.1
Consequent ' upon this Answer, a Church & Precinct Meeting was called.
The Precinct met first, and sent in the following Request to the Church.
At a Precinct Meeting of the first Precinct in the Town of Plymº on the 31ªt Day of Dec" 1759. The Precinct Voted, that the Church be desired to fix the Time of the ordination of the Revd M' Chandler Robbins and sent for an ecclesiastical Council for that Purpose; And that this Vote be laid before the Church by the Moderator.
A true Copy Attest SAM" BARTLETT Precinct Cler
At a Chh Meeting duely notified to consider what steps were proper to be taken relating to the ordination of M' Chandler Robbins
1 The hand of Mr. Robbins here ceases.
" From here to the bottom of p. [38] of the text - or p. 327 of this volume - the entries are in the hand of Mr. John Cotton.
324
PLYMOUTH CHURCH RECORDS: VOLUME II
met in the [36] meeting House upon Monday the 31" of December. 1759.
Tho" Foster Esq" was chosen Moderator, who opened the meet- ing with Prayer.
1. The Church unanimously voted to proceed to the Ordination of M. Robbins upon the last Wednes-Day of January next, agreeable to the foregoing Vote of the Precinct.
2. Then voted to Send to 20. Churches Viz M' Robbins's in Bran- ford & M. Sprout's in Guilford in Connecticut, The 4. Churches in Bridgwater, Two in Middleboro, one in Taunton, The Chh in Berk- ley, The Chh in Raynham, The Two Churches in Rochester, The first Chh in Plympton, The Chh in Halifax, The Chh in Abington, The two Churches in Attleborough, The Church in Milton, The Chh in Bristol. To which was afterwards added M" Wheelock's Chh in Lebanon - Connecticut, which made 21.
3. The three Deacons were appointed a Comitee to sign the Let- ters-Missive to the several Churches.
4. Voted that the Revd M' Nathanael Leonard the Pastor of this Church be sent to and desired to attend the ordination before his Dismission from his pastoral Relation to us.
January 27. 1760. Lords Day PM The Pastor the Revd Nathan- ael Leonard notified the Brethren to attend in the Meeting House the next Wednesday by nine of the Clock A Chh Meeting to con- sider & do what shall be thought proper respecting the ordination of Mr Robbins and also the Dismission of the Pastor.
January 30. 1760. The Church met according to warning, and after the Revd M' Leonard had prayed, past the following Vote
That M' John Cotton & the 3. Deacons be a Comittee to wait upon the Council now convened in this Place to desire them to pro- ceed to the ordination and also to ask their advice respecting the Revd M. Leonard's Dismission agreeable to a former Vote and also authoriz'd said Comittee to sign M' Leonard's Dismission & Reco- mendation in the Chh" behalf in case the Council advise to his Dismission.
NATHANAEL LEONARD Pastor .
The Deacons having sent out Letters-Missive to 21. Churches pursuant to the vote above, on the 30th of January 1760. 14. Churches
1
325
DISMISSION OF NATHANIEL LEONARD, 1760
convened (12. of them by their Pastors & Delegates and 2. of them by their Delegates only) Viz The 1"+ 3ª & 4th of Bridgwater, The first of Rochester, The first of Plimpton, The first of Middleboro, Abing- ton, Hallifax, Bristol, Taunton, Raynham, Berkley, Milton, and Branford in Connecticut Colony. - They having formed into a Council, the Committee of the Chh waited on them & desired them to proceed to the ordination and also asked their advice respecting the Dismission of their former Pastor.
The Council having advised to the Dismission of the Pastor agreeable to his Request, They then proceeded to the ordination - The Revd M" Wales of Raynham begun the solemnity with Prayer, Mª Robbins 1 [37] of Branford preach'd from John XXI. 15. 16. 17. and then after the Chh had renewed their Call of M' Robbins to the work of the Gospel ministry among us, M' Perkins of Bridgwater gave the Charge, and He & Mess". Leonard, Angier, Parker, Wales & Robbins assisted in laying on of Hands: M. Angier gave the right Hand of Fellowship. - The Council then assisted in M' Leonard's Dismission - And the Church voted to dismiss & recomend him in the Terms following.
Whereas we have for many Years enjoyed the learned, orthodox & godly Ministry of the Revd M' Nathanael Leonard, and he thro' bodily Indisposition being incapacitated from further carrying on said Work, and he now desiring a Dismission from his Pastoral Relation to us, and we having the Advice of an ecclesiastical Council now convened in this Place, to grant his Request; we hereby signify our Compliance, and ac- cordingly dismiss him from his Pastorate over us. - At the same Time acknowledging it as a great Favour of Heaven, that we have enjoyed his Labours So long. Viz. For near three & thirty Years: In this Time we have found him a diligent, zealous, faithful Minister of Jesus Christ, and have great Reason to be humbled before GOD for our own Un- fruitfulness, and for GOD's correcting Rod in removing him from us. - And we do freely & heartily recommend him to the work of the Ministry, if GOD should restore his Health; and also to the Communion of the Churches, Particularly to the Comunion of the first Church of Christ in Norton. - We desire still an Interest in his Prayers, wishing him & his Family all Blessings, temporal, spiritual & eternal.
1 Rev. Philemon Robbins, father of the Rev. Chandler Robbins. For the title of Mr. Robbins's sermon, see pp. Ixi-lxii, above.
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PLYMOUTH CHURCH RECORDS: VOLUME II
[This was afterwards signed by John Cotton, Thomas Foster John Torrey in the name & behalf of the Chh, Deacon Bartlett one of the Comittee chosen for this Service being absent.] 1
The Dismission being compleated, M' Parker of Plimpton made the concluding Prayer. - And after singing a Psalm sutable to the occasion, The Rev' M' Chandler Robbins (our Pastor) gave the Blessing. - Whom, we humbly hope, GOD will make a rich & last- ing Blessing to us & ours.
After M. Leonard's Decease, the following account was given of him in the public Prints. -
June .11. 1761. Dyed the Revd M" Nathanael Leonard at Norton in the 62d year of his Age, and was decently interr'd on Saturday the 13th, His Funeral being attended by a considerable Concourse of Peo- ple from that & other Towns in Token of Respect & Regard. - He was settled in the work of the ministry in Plymouth July .29.1724. and con- tinued labouring in word & Doctrine among them, till he was taken off from his work by his [88] growing Infirmities - He was Subject from his Youth to an hereditary Ptisick & Head-Ache, which many Times prevented his publick Labours - But these & other Disorders were all at last Swallowed up in a parylitic Distemper, which Seized him as he was preaching on the Sabbath November .9. 1755. - After this he desisted from his work for some months, his Flock providing him an Assistant: But in the Spring of the Year 1756 being Somewhat re- cruited, he preached again, and followed it constantly till the 22d of July - But his Infirmities of Body increasing, he was again obliged to desist. - And after he had rested some months, not seeing any Prospect of recovering his Health and so of discharging his work, He tho't it best to ask a Dismission, which his Flock with Regret & Concern con- sented to - And then removing with his Family to Norton his native Place & where his estate lay, he remaind in a weak & declining Con- dition (tho' not confined to his House) to the Day of his Death; which happened very suddenly - A repeated Shock ('t is tho't) of his former Distemper carried him out of the world in a moment, after he made some little Complaints of a Pain in his Stomach and a Numbness in one of his Arms. - But we have the utmost Reason to think, that Death was no surprize to him. - He at times Seemed to long for its Approch - and no doubt was habitually ready for the awful summons. - He was a Man of considerable natural Abilities (as well as of acquired Accom-
" The square brackets are in the original.
327
CHARACTER OF NATHANIEL LEONARD
plishments,) of a clear Head, Solid judgment, penetrating Tho't, Excell- ing in Conference and in giving Council & Advice in difficult Cases. - He had made great Improvements in Philosophy, but especially Di- vinity - was a clear & sound Gospel Preacher, making Christ his Alpha & Omega in his preaching - He Seemed to be carried above all his natural Infirmities in the late Time of remarkable Awakenings, and was in Labours more abundant; and GOD was pleased to bless him with considerable success. - He was of a mild pleasant affable Disposition, prudent, hospitable, generous & liberal to the Poor - A loving Hus- band, a tender Parent, a kind & obliging Friend, A faithful Reprover even to those that were dear to him when he apprehended there was occasion for it, And ever couragious & bold in the Cause of his Master & in promoting the Interest of vital Piety. - In Short, He excelled in the graces and Duties of the christian Life: - And now he is no more, we that survive have Reason to arise & call him blessed: - For blessed are the Dead that dye in the Lord &c. Rev.XIV.13.1 [89]2
Votes & Transactions of the Chh since my Ordination to the pastoral Office over it.
CHANDLER ROBBINS
June 12.1763. Lords Day - I read to the Chh in Presence of the Congregation, a Letter missive from the 1" Chh in Woodstock in Connecticutt, desiring the Assistance of this Chh by their Pastor & Delegates, at the Ordination of M" Abiel Leonard to ye pastoral Charge & Office over them, on the " 23d of instant June, ye Day fixd upon for his Seperation to that Office. After I had communi- cated the Letter to them, I signifyd to the " Chh that as I have but just come off from a long Journey to Connecticutt, I could not at- tend myself - however propose to them whither they would vote to send Delegates to attend the Council - Voted in the Negative- The Reason of which was (as the Chh declard after) because the Pastor could not go.
1764. March 25"4 I this Day propounded to ye Chh the Desire
1 This extract is taken from the Boston News Letter of June 25, 1761, p. 3/1. The entries in the hand of Mr. John Cotton here cease.
* The entries on pp. [39-102] of the text - or pp. 327-429 of this volume - are in the hand of the Rev. Chandler Robbins.
" The words "Votes" and "Transactions" are underscored.
" Here a word is crossed out.
" Altered from "them."
328
PLYMOUTH CHURCH RECORDS: VOLUME II
of Lydia Cornish of Ponds to join in full Commun" wth this Chh _ she being sick & unable to come to the public Worship.
April 1. Lords Day - Read before the Church & Congregation the Relation & Confess" of Lydia Cornish - then stayd the Church to know their minds with Regard to admitting her to full Commun- ion, out of the ordinary Method, she being confind to her House by sickness & tis not probable will ever be able to go abroad again. The Church upon the whole thot it best, as it was a singular Case, to have a Chh Meeting on a Week Day on Purpose to consid" further & determine upon it - Accordingly I notifyd the Brethren to meet on Monday the 9th Day of this Month at 3 o'Clock P.M in the Meeting House. The Chh voted at this Time to accept her Confes- sion & restore her to Charity.
April 9th The Church met accordingly ye Meeting opend with Prayer & after long Debate & Consultation as there were but few at the Meeting & they not fully prepard to act upon the Affair, It was concluded to refer it to Thursday next viz, The Fast Day, & so adjournd with+ acting upon ye Case.
April 12th Thursday. I Stayd the Church after public Exercise, & desired them to consid" & determine upon the Case above men- tioned - It was urged, that, such a Method of admitting Members to full Communion, in a Private house, that were confined by Sick- ness, Old Age or other Infirmities, would be going out of ye Practice this Church as well as others have always been in, & it was appre- . hended, woud be of dangerous Tendency on many Accounts - & therefore, althô they have Charity for the aforesª Person, & are dis- posd to deal in all possible Tenderness wth her, yet they could not think it best to deviate from the standing & ordinary Method of recieving Persons to full Communion, which they must do shod they grant the Request. Upon the whole therfore the Chh came to the following Vote - viz Verte [40] Church Votes & Transactions 1
Voted. - " That the Church are so far satisfyed, that they are willing to recieve the aforementioned Person Lydia Cornish to their Communion, in Case God shall in his Providence, restore her so that she is able to come to his House & renew her baptismal Covenant in the Presence of all the People. But that at present, they do not see
1 The headings to the pages and the dates at the beginning of entries are fre- quently underscored in the original. They are here printed in roman type.
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329
VARIOUS TRANSACTIONS OF THE CHURCH, 1764-1767
Light to proceed in the Manner that has been proposed." So ye Chh 1 was dismissd
July. 9th 1764. At a Meeting of the Chh (duly notifyd) at ye Re- quest of a Number of the Brethren, to confer together on some Matters relative to Singing in public Worship, & also to consid" the Cases of some of the Chh who withdraw from our Communion with- out giving the Reasons of it - The Brethren met generally, & after some considerable Conference, came to ye following Votes.
1. Voted that our Brother John May be desird to set the Tune in Concert in order for the better, more regular & Decent Carrying on of that heavenly part of y. Worship of God, viz Singing in the House of God.
2. Voted that ye Deacons Foster, Bartlett & Torrey be a Comitee of this Chh to go & Enquire of the Persons referd to above, into the Reasons of their Withdrawing from our Comunion, & make Report to the Church. - The Meeting was opend & concluded with Prayer, singing a Psm & ye Blessing.
Nov" - I stayd the Brethren after public Worship on Lords Day, & read to them a Letter I recievd from our Sister Esther Jackson, desiring the Priviledge of Baptism for an Orphan Child of abt 2 Years old, under her Care. Some Talk was had upon it, & 'twas thôt best to defer it for further Consideration. After some Time, of a few Weeks, Stayd & conversa further upon it; But as it was a New Thing in many Respects, many were not sufficiently satisfyª to grant her Request, And upon the whole, it was determin' not to proceed any further in the Affair for the present.
1765. Feb= 28. After public Lecture stayª the Brethren, & informd them of the Desire of John Cornish, that his Children, by his Wife Lydia Cornish, deceasª, (whose Case is recorded in the foregoing Page) might be admitted to be baptize upon her Right, & consider- ing what she had done before her Death, & also wt the Chh had acted upon it, The Church now
Voted That they think it proper, and are therefore willing that her Children be admitted to Baptism, on ye Right of their decd Mother. [41] 1767 Church Votes & Transactions
Lords Day. April 19. 1767. Read to y. Chh a Letter Missive from the Chh of Christ in Hallifax desiring the Presence And Assist-
1 This word, badly blotted, has apparently been altered.
330
PLYMOUTH CHURCH RECORDS: VOLUME II
ance of this Chh on the 29th Instant, with their Pastor & Delegate or Delegates, to form, with several other Chh's, into an Ecclesiastical Council for the Ordination of M' Ephraim Briggs of Norton to ye pastoral Office over them: Whereon the Chh Voted
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