USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Plymouth church records, 1620-1859 > Part 36
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p. [49] and ten lines on p. [50], all of which is crossed out. Cf. p. 365, below.
" For the title of the sermon, see p. Ivi, above.
341
CONTROVERSY IN REGARD TO BAPTISM, 1772
Subject of Baptism, which Affair was under Consideration last Win- ter - See Page 47 1 [51] 1772 Church Records.
Feb 17. Agreable to a Vote of y. Church, in Page 49.º I this Day sent a Citation to our Brethren Nath" & Silas Morton to appear at y. Chh Meeting to be held on y. Morrow in the Meeting-house.
Feb"y 18th The Church met according to y' Notification, when, after Prayer to God for his presence & Direction in ye important affair before us, there was a free Conference held relating to the Subject of Baptism, owning y' Covenant &c as in Jan' 1771. Great Numbers of the Congregation & others were present. Finally y· Church (who were mostly present, ie, ye males) came to no Con- clusion, it appearing that some were for, others against ye practice as before - So the Meeting was adjourned by Desire to ye last Tuesday in March next, at 2 Clock P M which will be ye 31st Day. - The Meeting was Concluded with Prayer & y. Blessing.
March 31"+ Tuesday PM - The Chh met according to Adjourn- ment - and after prayer, enterd upon ye Consideration of the Affair relative to ye owning Covenant &c several Things were read 2 Tracts drawn up by our Brother John Cotton' & one by the Pastor, on different Sides the Question in debate. & unhappily, there was more warmth in the debate at this than at y" former meeting - but noth- ing finally settled. - it lasted till in y' Evening - when some were for dissolving y. Meeting, others for adjourning - finally, there was just a majority for adjourning - most of ye members were withdrawn by reason of Night & Cold - Accordingly the meeting was adjourned to ye last Tuesday in June next. The Meeting was then concluded with Prayer & y. Blessing.
Oh yt God of his infinite Mercy would compassionate this Chh under its present divided State, & graciously lead & direct to such Measures & Conclusions as shall be most for his Glory & ye real In- terest & Welfare of this dear Chh & People - for Jesus Christs Sake, Amen.
Lords day April 19th Read a Letter missive from ye Committee
1 P. [47] of the text, or p. 338 of this volume.
' P. [49] of the text, or p. 340 of this volume.
" As early as 1764 (see the case of Lydia Cornish, p. 328, above), a difference of opinion in regard to baptism arose between Mr. Robbins and Mr. Cotton, and later developed into an acrimonious dispute. For the titles of the four pam- phlets that were published, see pp. Ivi-lvii and notes, above.
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342
PLYMOUTH CHURCH RECORDS: VOLUME II
of ye Church of Christ in New Yarmouth or Toboge in Nova Scotia, desireing ye Presence & Assistance of this Chh by their Pastor & Delegate, at y. proposed Ordination of M' Jonathan Scott to ye Pastoral Office over that Chh & people on Tuesday yo 28th inst at Middlboro first Precinct - The Chh voted to send & Chose Co1 Watson Delegate &c. [62] 1772 Church Records
April 28th Tuesday - The Ordination Council of 6 Churches having met at Middleboro first Precinct, last Evening, they Em- bodied, & having read & heard from the Committees of y Chh & Precinct of Yarmouth in Nova Scotia, Matters relative to their calling M: Jonathan Scott to the Work of y. Ministry & Pastoral Office among them, & M' Scott exhibiting a Confession of his Faith to the great Satisfaction of all ye Council, & being examind as to his Qualifications for the Ministry, the Council Voted they were ready & willing to assist in setting him apart by Ordination to that office & work. Accordingly this Day he was solemnly, in ye Presence of a numerous & serious assembly of People of this & neighboring towns ordained to the pastoral Charge of ye Chh & people in Yar- mouth Nova Scotia. The Revd M" Reed began with Prayer. Revd M' Porter preached from Acts 17.2.3.4. - Revª M" Shaw prayd & gave the Charge - The Pastor of this Church, prayed after the Charge, & Revª Mª Conant the Right hand of fellowship. May God make him a rich & lasting Blessing to that Chh & people!
June 30th Tuesday - PM. The Chh met according to an Ad- journment, on the affair of ye Subjects of Baptism. After Prayer, a Paper was handed to the Pastor, to be read to ye Church - but before it was 1 read, Deacon Foster rose & spoke for a considerable time, the purport of which was, that every one should have free & full liberty to speak further on the affair &c &c After which the aforesª Paper was read, which, as it was afterwards voted, ye whole of it, I shall here record - 'Twas as follows. - Viz -
We the Subscribers Brethren of the first Chh of Christ in Plimouth, taking into our serious Consideration, the unhappy Difficulties, sub- sisting in said Church, relative to the Subjects of Baptism, and being of opinion, that the most effectual Method to restore Peace & Harmony to said Church, would be to drop the affair for the Present, We would therefore, hereby signify our earnest Desire, that the Chh Meeting,
1 Written above a word crossed out.
1
1
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343
CONTROVERSY IN REGARD TO BAPTISM, 1772
which stands adjourned to Tuesday the 30th Instant June, be dissolved without entering into any further Debate on the Affair; The Church to reassume the further Consideration thereof, when they shall think it proper or necessary.1 May the great Head of the Church lead and guide us in this, & all our other [53"] Affairs, so as shall tend most for his Glory and our good, and at last bring us all to that blessed State, where Love Peace and Unity reign in Perfection.
Signed
LAZARUS LEBARON BENJAMIN CHURCHILL ELEAZAR CHURCHILL
JOSHUA SWIFT WILLIAM CROMBIE JOHN HARLOW
EBENEZ" BARTLETT WILLIAM SERGEANT THOMAS MAYHEW
EBENEZER COBB Jun' BENJA KING
JONATHAN CHURCHILL
THOMAS SPOONER
JOHN KING
THOMAS FAUNCE
ROBERT BARTLETT
NATHANIEL DONHAM
ICHABOD MORTON
TIMOTHY BURBANK
JOSEPH BARTLETT
JOHN KEMPTON
LEMUEL BARTLETT
When the above Paper was read, with the Names of the Brethren who signed it, (which were by far the greater Part of the Male Mem- bers then in Town) a Motion was made & seconded, that it might be put to vote - But 3 opposition was made to it by 2 or 3 of the Brethren - M: John Cotton having drawn up something, which he intended to communicate at this Meeting - It was insisted by them that he should have Liberty to read it - &c &c On the other hand, the Brethren replyd that he & others had had opportunities again & again, at former Meetings to speak & read abundantly, & they thot sufficiently on the Subject - & they apprehended the Chh in general were weary of Dispute & Controversy about it, & thôt the Continuance of these Meetings & further Debates, only tended to encrease Animosities & Difficulties among us, & would in the Issue be dishonouring to God, & Religion, & hurtful to our Souls best Interest &c & therefore urged that the Vote be put.
After considerable Debate, (attended with too much warmth, for which we have cause to be humbled before God) the following Ques- tion was put, by Desire - viz - Whither the Chh incline to hear Questa any thing further at this time, on yo affair under consideration, re-'
1 Here two lines are crossed out.
* At the top of p. [53] is written "1772 Chh Records."
' Here two or three words are crossed out.
344
PLYMOUTH CHURCH RECORDS: VOLUME II
Voted
specting the Subjects of Baptism, agreable to the Desire of three of the Brethren? - It passª in the Negative. (turn over [54] 1772 Church Records
The Brethren aforesd being very uneasy at the Determination of the Chh, & saying many Things upon it, of the Unreasonableness of not being allowed to say all they had to offer upon such an important Affair, &c &c It was answered, by the Brethren on the other hand, that it would only open a Door for a Reply to it - & that for an- other Reply - & so would be endless, & only tend to keep the Chh & Town involved in miserable Dissention & Division.
It was then observed by one of the Brethren, that he doubted in his mind, whither there was a majority of hands held up in the fore- going Vote - & moved that the Vote might be calld again, & that the Brethren might divide into two Bodies, to determine with more Exactness, upon ye Question.
Vote 2ª
Accordingly the Question was put a 2ª Time, & a Division was made agreably to their Desire - & it passd again in ye Negative.
The Brethren on the other Side being still vehemently engagª against1 the Vote, & insisting on M' Cotton's Piece being read, as they said it containª somthing new, & that after he had read it, then they would be willing the Chh shod pass the above Vote, if they saw fit, - The Chh, for peace Sake & in Condescention to ye impor- tunity of the former 3 Brethren
Voted 3
Voted to Reconsider the former Vote, & gave Liberty that it should be read. - Accordingly M' Cotton read a long Piece on the Subject aforesaid - The former Part of which attempted to prove that Infants baptized in Infancy, did retain their Membership, & not cease to be Members, when they grew up - contrary, as he said, to the Opinion of ye Pastor; Tho' the Truth is, he misappre- hended the Pastor egregiously - The Pastor never denyd nor thôt of denying they were Members in any Sense, when grown up - but denya & still denies that that they are Members in the full & compleat Sense in which M' Cotton asserts their Membership.
The latter Part of the Piece containd, - as the Pastor thot, · many hard & injurious Reflections upon him - & was utterd with much Warmth & Agitation of Spirit. But in such a Day of Diffi- culty & Temptation, all possible, christian Allowances are to be 1 The first letter in this word has been altered.
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345
EZRA SAMSON ORDAINED AT PLYMPTON, 1775
made for human 1 Frailities & Imperfections, which are & will be found in those yt are ye real Children of God.
After he had finished reading, which lasted above an hour, near 2 The Question was desired to be put again, whither the Desire of y. Brethren mentd in ye aforsª Paper shª be granted & y' Meet" dissolve It pass' by a very great Majority & yo Meets was accord ly Vote 4 Dissolved. [56^] After which it was concluded with Prayer & ye Blessing. - May God of his infinite Mercy, behold & visit this Vine - & grant us his holy Spirit, to sanctify our Hearts, mortify our Corruptions subdue every thing in us that is contrary to y' Gospel, & give us Hearts to love ye Lord Jesus Christ in Sincerity, & to love one another with pure heart's fervently - for his great Name's Sake Amen.
1775. Feb" 5th Read a Letter missive from the first Chh in Plimp- ton desireing the Assistance of this Chh by their Pastor & Delegates at ye Ordination of M" Ezra Samson to ye colleague pastoral office over them on y' 15th instant. The Chh voted to comply with y" Request, & chose Deacon Bartlett Deacon Torrey & M' Mayhew to represent the Chh on y" occasion.
Feb" 15th Met accordingly at Plimpton with a Council of Pastors & Delegates of several Churches, & after usual Enquiries into ye Proceedings of y. Chh relative to M' Samsons Call &c & after hear- ing a full Confession of ye sª Candidates Faith, & his Answers to several Questions thereon, The Council manifesting their full Ap- probation thereof, proceeded solemnly to ordain him - as follows, The Pastor of this Chh opend the Solemnity with Prayer, Revª M" Conant preached the Sermon, Revd M. Shaw of Bridgewater gave y. Charge, Rev' M' Turner of Middleboro' prayd after ye Charge, & Revd M. Howland of Plimpton gave y righthand of Fellowship - ye whole conducted with Seriousness & Decency. May God make their Pastor a rich & lasting Blessing to them & theirs, as well as a great Comfort to the Revd M. Parker his aged & worthy Colleague.
1775. March 12th Lords Day Event - Stayd the Chh (upon having recieved a request signd by Six of the Brethren, that a Chh Meeting might be callª to consider some matters of Grievance Rela-
1 Altered from "humam " or " humane."
" At the top of p. [55] is written "1775 Church Records."
" Written over "of" erased.
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346
PLYMOUTH CHURCH RECORDS: VOLUME II
tive 1 to Deacon Foster) to advise with them about y. Matter con- taind in sd Paper of Request. - The Chh thot it would be proper to defer calling a Chh Meeting in order that ye private Steps, be first taken for a Reconciliation, according to ye Rule of y· Gospel - & advised that said agrieved proceed accordingly.
March 26th 2 Lords day - Having recieved a 2ª Request, signd by five Brethren that a Chh Meeting might be callª to consider as above, they also having in their request mention severall articles of their Grievance relative to Dr Foster, & also intimating that the previous first & second Steps had been taken, & to no satisfactory purpose, I notifyd the Chh to meet to consider on said affair, next Tuesday at ye meeting he.
March 28th Tuesday P M. The Church met accordingly, & after Prayer, The Design of y. Meeting being mentiond, Deacon Foster read a paper containing his objections & Reasons against the [56'] the Churche's going on to a hearing of the articles exhibited against him by the aggrieved Brethren - & requesting that the meeting be dissolved. - The Church voted Not to dissolve the meeting - & then, upon Deacon Foster's Request, aggreed to adjourn the Meet- ing to the first Wednesday in May next. the meeting was accord- ingly adjourned to the 3ª of next May.
1775 May 3ª The Church met according to adjournment, but there being but few of the ‘ members present, Deacon Foster also being absent, the Meeting was further adjournd to the 2ª Wednesday in June next.
June 14th The Church met agreable to adjournment, Deacon Foster sent in a paper to be read, signifying the reasons why he did not attend this Meeting, & objecting against the Chh' proceeding on the affair, & again desired the Meeting may be dissolved - One . of his Reasons being this, that he thought the previous Gospel Steps had not been taken, Twas moved by y. Chh that an Account might be given what Steps the offeneded Brethren had taken, that the Church might judge thereon - Which being done, A Vote was de- sired to be called to know Whither the aggrieved had taken the Steps required by Christ
1 The first letter in this word has been altered.
." The date is uncertain, as the second figure has been altered.
* At the top of p. [56] is written "1775 Church Records."
" This word had been altered.
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347
CHARGES AGAINST DEACON THOMAS FOSTER, 1775
Voted unanimously that the proper Steps had been taken.
Voted - Therefore 2dly that this Meeting be not dissolved.
Whereupon the Church thot it, nevertheless, adviseable to use all Christian Tenderness & Forbearance with our Brother Deacon Foster, and, inasmuch as he was not present,) to adjourn this Meet- ing for a Week, & notify him what the Church had done. Accord- ingly adjourned to Wednesday next.
At the Desire of Deacon Bartlett & Deacon Torrey it was proposed to the Chh, to take into Consideration the choosing of another Deacon, especially on account of the growing Infirmities of our aged & worthy Dª Bartlett, - which oblige him necessarily to be absent from public Worship great part of the Time, especially in ye cold Season.
The Meeting was opened & concluded with Prayer.
June 21 ** The Church met by Adjournment. Deacon Foster ap- pearing & desireing the articles of Grievance against him might be more particularly specifyª & he have opportunity to make his De- fence, produce Evidences &c the Meeting was by Consent of ye Chh adjourned to the 3ª Wednesday in August next. - Opend & con- cluded with prayer - & Blessing [57] 1775 Church Records
Aug+ 16th The Church met according to Adjournment - Deacon Foster brot an Evidence (viz his Wife) in order to prove the pre- vious Steps in a more private way, as mentioned in the Gospel, had not been taken with him. The Chh heard y. Evidence - & the Question was put Whither the Steps had been taken - 22 Members present of whom 11 Voted in ye affirmative - which being but just half, the former Vote of y. Church on this Question stands in force, viz that past June 14ª in ye foregoing page. - Next, it was moved & seconded that the Charges be read - which were accordingly read, both ye General Heads, & the particulars explanatory of them, which latter had been sent to Deacon Foster previous to this meeting, agreable to ye vote June 21
Hereupon Deacon Foster begun to answer to sª Charges, but had considered only those under ye first general Head before Evening came on which made it necessary to adjourn - accordingly, by De- sire, y* Meeting was adjourned a fortnight from this Day - viz to Aug' 80" instant. - The Church were of opinion that, of those Charges he answerd to, at this time, some of 'em were of such a
348
PLYMOUTH CHURCH RECORDS: VOLUME II
Nature, that y. Chh could not settle or determine absolutely upon them - & that the others, then spoke to, were not such as amounted to consurable Evils - or a just Ground of Withdraw.
The Meeting was opend with prayer, & concluded also, & wth a Blessing.
Aug+ 30. The Church met according to adjournment, but it being a very stormy Day, few met, & voted therefore to adjourn a fortnight, viz to Sep 13th Wednesday 2 Clock P M. - Prayd to- gether, & parted.
Sep" 13th Met according to adjournment, &1 the Pastor, being confined by sickness, the church made Choice of Deacon Torrey moderator for the present meeting, & by reason of a few members being present, voted to adjourn the meeting to Wednesday yo 27th of September instant.
attest JOHN TORREY moderator
Sep" 27th Met according to adjournment, the pastor being yet detaind by bodily indisposition, & few Members present voted to adjourn the meeting again for a fortnight viz to October 11 th ensuing.
attest JOHN TORREY. Mod"
Oct 11th Met accordingly - & there being but few Members present voted to adjourn to meet again in 4 Weeks, viz Nov" 8th
.
Att: C. ROBBINS.
[68] 1775 Chh. Records
Nov 8th The Church met agreable to ye Adjournment but there being yet very few members present, & it being a stormy, uncom- fortable day, voted to adjourn ye Meeting a fortnight - viz to y' 22ª instant.
Lords day Nov" 19th Stayª the Church, & proposed to their Con- sider" whither, (since the public Thanksgiving was to be the present week on Thursday, & also that I must necessarily be absent the whole week, being engagd to act as Chaplain in the Army at Roxbury for a week) it would be expedient or necessary that the Chh shª meet according to the Adjournment next Wednesday - The Church were unanimously of opinion, that it would not be necessary nor ex-
1 Here a word is crossed out.
349
CHARGES AGAINST DEACON THOMAS FOSTER, 1776
pedient, & therefore agreed that the Chh meeting which was to have been on Wednesday next, be further adjourn' three Weeks from sd Wednesday - viz to 13ª of Dec' next.
Lords Day Dec" 10th Stayd y. Church & after some Consultation about the Chh Meeting which is adjournd to next Wednesday, The Church aggreed, (considering it is Court Week this week, a public Time, & Deacon Foster uneasy at the Meeting being at such a Time) to postpone the Meeting till next Wednesday Week, viz yº 20th Decr
Dec 20th The Church met, but several of the Members & par- ticularly the Accusers being absent, out of town &c The Church concluded to adjourn, at D= Foster's Desire, a Month - to meet y· 17th of Jan' next - prayd & dismissd
1776 Jan 17th Met agreable to Adjournment, but there 1 still being so few of y" Brethren present, by D" Foster's Desire the Meet- ing was further adjournª to the first Wednesday in March next, at 10 Clock in ye Forenoon, Of which public Notice is to be given to y· Church on the Sabbath preceeding ye sª 6th of March, & that tis y. Design of ye Church then, by ye Leave of Providence, without fail to proceed to ye Consideration of the Articles alledgd against our Brother Deacon Foster. - As it may well seem surprizing to many, in after times, to see an Account of so many Adjournments one after another for such a long space of Time, on acct of yo Brethren not attending ye Meetings - I think it proper to say, That I know not what else to attribute it to, but to ye public Distresses of this Land, involved in y. Calamities of Civil War, [69 ^] which so much engrosses the Minds & Concern of every one that they scarce know how to attend, even upon an affair of such 8 Importance as this is, How- ever we must acknowledge, we are guilty of a sad & criminal Neglect - as no public or private Troubles ought ever to prevent attending on those Duties, in which y. Honor of Christ, of this Church, & ye good of the Delinquent, are so much concerned. The Lord heal & save our Land, & give peace & prosperity to this Chh!
Wednesday Mar. 6th The Chh met according to Adjournment, & would have proceeded to yo Business of y. Meeting, but the minds
1 Altered from "their."
* At the top of p. [59] is written "Chh Records."
"" Here a word is crossed out.
350
PLYMOUTH CHURCH RECORDS: VOLUME II
of the Brethren & every one being so exceedingly agitated & con- cerned on Acct of News that our Army are now actually engaged in Battle with ye Enemy at Dorchester, Cambr" &c agreed to adjourn still further, (at D" Foster's Desire) to y. first Wednesday in May next. - Concluded with Prayer.
Wedn. May 1ª* 1776. The Chh met by Adjournment, & after Prayer proceeded to ye Business before them, relative to y' Charges brot against D= Foster. which were containd under these 4 General heads - viz
1. His Falseness & Prevarication, affirming at one time w* at other times he will deny, with Affirmations and Asseverations.
2. His frequent violent Passions & Extravagant Expressions, & wicked Wishes, bordering upon Profaness, if not actual breaches of y. 3ª Comand.
3. When desired by our Pastor, at our Request, not to attend upon ye next Sacrament, & to abstain untill y' Objections against him should be settled in a Christian manner to our Satisfaction, He, notwithstanding would attend, & thereby obliged a Number of us to absent ourselves, as we could not with peace of mind join with him any longer therein.
4. His Political Conduct & Practices are, we think, just matter of Offence, as therein he discovers a Willingness to have this Country enslaved - & is frequently found to be an Advocate for ye De- structive Doctrines of Passive Obedience & Non Resistance.
Signed by 5 of the Brethren
Six Particular Charges under the first General Head were con- sidered & acted upon at y Meeting in Aug+ 16. 1775. - See Page 57.1
Now proceeded to yo 2ª Gen1 Head & ye particulars under it - The five first of which, being not supported by Sufficient Evidence, the Chh dismissd them. - The 6th particular - " his calling John Churchills Wife a cursed, murderous Bitch - The Church, 1. Voted it proved. Upon which Deacon Foster, saying that thô he had no Remembrance of it, yet that if he did say it, he was sorry for it, & condemd y. Expression The Chh Voted satisfied. [60] 1776 Church Records
Vote
The seventh particular under this head, viz " his frequently giv-
1 P. [57] of the text, or p. 347 of this volume.
Vote
'351
CHARGES AGAINST DEACON THOMAS FOSTER, 1776
ing people ye Lye - treating them with Roughness & in an un- christ" manner," was thus dismissd - viz - That altho several of them had met with what they thot rough & unkind usage &c yet they could forgive him & had no objection against him at present on that head.
As to y. 8th - viz " his saying that when D' Watts composed his Hymns, he was under the Influence of y. Devil. The Chh voted Vote That it was sufficiently proved that he said so, with respect to his Psalms, tho not Hymns - & that tis justly offensive. - Upon which Deacon Foster saying he was sorry he used such an Expression, if he did say it - the Church Voted To forgive him.
Then proceeded to y. 3ª gen1 head - Upon which y Chh voted it not a censureable Evil.
Then went on to y. 4th & Last gen1 Head - as in ye last page.1 Upon which The Brethren manifested such Uneasiness, as his Prin- ciples were so very opposite to almost ye whole Chh, & had a Ten- dency, in their opinion, utterly to sap ye Foundation of our Churches, as well as our State - that finally The Church Voted not to deter- mine at present, in a decisive manner, upon this Article - but to adjourn for further Deliberation. - Accordingly the Meeting was adjourned to ye 24 Wednesday in July next, 3 Clock P M.
.
The Meeting concluded with Prayer & y. Blessing.
July 7th Lords Day. Stayd the Church, at D= Fosters Desire, to let them know, that, as he thought the Chh meeting by Adjournment was to have been last week, he was under Necessity by an engage- ment, to go out of town this week, & coud not attend ye Meeting, & desired the Chh would adjourn the meeting to the Wednesday after next - Which the Chh consented to - & accordingly the Church is to meet on Wednesday yo 17th instant, at 3 of Clock in ye Afternoon.
Wednesday. July 17th The Church met according to adjourn- ment, & proceeded to yo consideration of the last general Article of Charge against Dª Foster - It being urged, that he looked upon the Brethren, who were opposite to him in political Sentiments, to be Rebels, & of Consequence deserving ye Punishment of such; & he not denying or retracting his former Sentimt & declaring that he did not think it expedient to tell w+ his Thots were on yt head,-&
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