USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Greenfield > Records of proceedings, etc., in the parish of St. James' Church, Greenfield, from the first formation of the society, September 24th, A. D. 1812 > Part 2
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Sec. 2. Be it further enacted. That if any person or persons may hereafter incline to join said Epis- copal parish in Greenfield aforesaid, and shall leave a certificate of the same signed by the Rec- tor, Clerk or Committee of said parish, with the clerk of the town to which he or they may re- spectively belong, he or they, with his or their polls and estates, shall be considered as belong- ing to said Episcopal parish, and in the same manner as though he or they were incorporated by name in this act. And whenever any person or persons belonging to said Episcopal parish shall see cause to leave the same, and unite with any other religious parish or society, and shall leave with the Rector or Clerk of said Episcopal parish a certificate of the same signed by the minister or clerk of the parish or other religious society with which he or they may have united, he or they with his or their polls and estates shall be discharged from said Episcopal parish
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and annexed to the parish or society to which he or they may have joined themselves.
Sec. 3. Be it further enacted. That the said Protestant Episcopal parish be, and they hereby are, em- powered to raise and establish a fund in such way and manner as they may see fit, the annual income or interest of which shall not exceed the sum of two thousand dollars, the income or in- terest on so much thereof as shall be necessary, to be appropriated to the support of a Protestant Episcopal Priest or Priests in said parish.
In the House of Representatives, June 15, 1813. This bill having had three several readings, passed to be enacted.
Timothy Bigelow, Speaker.
In Senate June 15, 1813. This bill having had two several readings, passed to be enacted.
John Phillips, President.
June 16, 1813. Approved, Caleb Strong.
Secretary's Office June 22, 1813 A True Copy.
Attest, Alden Bradford, Secretary of the Commonwealth.
The next Sunday after the incorporation of the par- ish, June 27th, the Rev. John P. Henshaw "performed Divine Service and preached two sermons in the day time and one in the evening. In the afternoon he ad- ministered the ordinance of Baptism to one child." Mr. Henshaw truly earned his stipend, whatever it may have been.
"In July 1813, the ladies belonging to the parish raised by subscription among themselves about eight dollars for the purpose of purchasing a ticket in the Union College Lottery, New York, and whatever it might
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draw they designed to appropriate to the fund for the support of the minister." So did the eager zeal of these good and earnest women bid fair to outdo itself. But as nothing further is heard of this investment, it doubt- less went the way of many another-their loss was the gain of someone else. Perhaps, however, they found their reward the following month when "a pious lady from the city of New York being in the town, made a present of ten dollars to the parish for the beginning of a fund for the support of the minister."
Meantime the work upon the church was proceeding, it may be with some degree of slowness. Perhaps funds were getting low. That would not be an unusual ex- perience. A strong effort was made during the month of October to finish the outside, at least, of the church. The people were eager to go on with their plans, and to settle a Parish Priest over the little congregation. Their courage was still good and their faith in the right- ness of their undertaking was unshaken.
THE COMING OF TITUS STRONG.
The parish had been organized a little more than a year. A great deal of preliminary work had been ac- complished, and things were in readiness for the choos- ing of a clergyman. How it came about that the choice first centered in Titus Strong, we do not know. He had spent some part of his earlier life in Northampton and may have been known in Greenfield.
Born in the year 1787 in the town of Brighton, Mr. Strong from his youth showed a fondness for books. As early as 1801 when fourteen years old he had ab- sorbed considerable literary knowledge. But he did not settle down easily to a career; in fact for the next eleven years his life is a restless one. "The printer's workshop, the country school room, the lawyer's office, the editor's chair, all held him for a season. Once he began the study of theology under the auspices of what was then the standing order in New England (Congrega- tionalism) and once, even, he had thoughts of giving his fine voice and elocutionary powers to the stage." That this restlessness was no indication of infirmity of character or instability of purpose is amply shown when once he settled down to what was to be his life work. It was in 1812 that he became a candidate for Holy Orders in the Church. From the time of his choosing the ministry until his death, a period of almost half a century, he continued steadfast "under all trials and dis- couragements, in that very field to which his feet were first directed."
While yet only a lay reader, he made his first ap- pearance in Greenfield. The record of that visit is brief
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enough. "October 9, 1813 (Rev.) Titus Strong arrived here from Dedham, agreeable to a previous request of the parish and preached with us two Sundays, viz., Oc- tober 10th and October 17th." What impression was made is not told us. We do know his material reward for the two Sundays was ten dollars. And perhaps the following fact was not without its bearing on the invita- tion that was later sent to him. "Mr. Strong after his return to Dedham issued a subscription paper and col- lected for us in that town the sum of forty eight dollars." That paper in Dr. Strong's handwriting with the names of the subscribers attached is preserved with others of interest and value. It shows how the situation appealed to him.
"In the town of Greenfield, in the county of Franklin, a small society of Episcopalians has been formed and incorporated by a law of this Commonwealth. By the assistance of the pious and benevolent they have suc- ceeded in erecting a handsome and convenient church, the outside of which is finished: but for the want of funds they are unable to complete the pews, desks, etc., without a further contribution from the public. As no political or interested motives have caused the estab- lishment of this society, as they are situated at a con- siderable distance from any meeting house, and as their predilection for the church service is from a persuasion that it is of divine origin and has the happiest ten- dency to promote religious devotion, they are not with- out a hope that the friends of piety in other demonina- tions will be disposed to contribute to their present necessity. This hope has in some measure been already answered. The present Lt. Gov. Phillips, from the be- lief that the establishment of this society would conduce to the general interest of religion, although not an Epis- copalian himself, has generously subscribed for build- ing the church, and other dissenters have followed his
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example. The society has made arrangements for the support of a, clergyman, after the church is finished, by an annual rent of the pews, and it is believed that the truly pious will not for the want of a few hundred dol- lars suffer the house of God to remain unfinished, and a religious establishment to fall into decay, where so much service may be rendered in the cause of our Re- deemer, and where failure will inevitably prove detrimental to the cause of religion generally, as well as the Church in particular."
It is not surprising that such an appeal succeeded. The immediate return may not have been large, judged by our later day standards, yet it probably represented no small degree of interest on the part of those who through this young man felt the call toward usefulness, which the new work, out in the frontier of the state, presented.
Meanwhile other contributions came to help lighten the burdens and the hearts of the congregation. Daniel Clay went to Albany and gathered in some sixty dollars, one subscription and the largest being that of the Mayor of the city, a Mr. Van Rensellaer. The church in New- buryport took up a collection-one of the real mission- ary kind , we suspect-and sent in some twenty five dollars.
"In November, the church being finished on the out- side, we removed the furniture which we had made use of at Mr. Hall's house, to the church and continued to assemble there through the winter."
"On the seventh of February 1814 Alpheus F. Stone at the request of the parish set out for Dedham for the purpose of agreeing with (Rev.) Titus Strong to officiate in St. James' Church for the term of one year from the following Easter, and to make arrange- ments for the removal of himself and family to Green- field."
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above for which he is to receive the sum of four hundred dollars."
From Dedham Dr. Stone proceeded to Boston armed with a subscription paper, which set forth in plain terms the needs of the parish.
"The Protestant Episcopal Society of St. James' Church in the town of Greenfield, in the state of Mass- achusetts, humbly solicit the contributions of the friends of religion generally in order to enable them to finish a small church which they have lately erected, the out- side of which is now completed. The society now owe about $400, the building having already cost them more than they have been able to raise either by their own exertions or the contributions of their friends. The as- sistance of the good people of the Town of Boston and its vicinity is earnestly solicited in aid of our pious un- dertaking, which we earnestly pray may result to the honor of our Blessed Redeemer."
Again the return was comparatively small at the time, but interest was created which was to bear fruit in future. Mr. Schubael Bell of Trinity Parish sent out a quantity of books, probably from his own collection, to be sold for the benefit of the parish.
"At the Court of Sessions in March leave was obtained for the parish to assemble in the Court House of this town for public worship, until the church shall be fin- ished."
"At a meeting of the Wardens, Vestry and Parishion- ers of St. James' Church, duly assembled at the church on Wednesday the 9th day of March 1814, Daniel Clay was chosen moderator. Voted, that Asher Newton be a committee for the purpose of transporting Rev. Mr. Strong's goods from Dedham to Greenfield.
Voted, that Daniel Clay be a committee for the pur- pose of transporting Rev. Mr. Strong and his family from Dedham to Greenfield.
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Voted, that we will proceed to finish the church this season.
Voted, that the vote for finishing be reconsidered. Voted, that this meeting be dissolved.
(Signed) A. F. Stone, Clerk.
"The same day there was a partial examination of the state of the funds of the parish, and it was found that the debts due from the parish amounted to about three hundred and fifty dollars more than there was due to the parish in subscriptions, etc. A subscription was therefore opened for the purpose of raising money to liquidate said debts, upon which the sum of two hun- dred and twenty seven dollars was immediately sub- scribed."
The spirit of the people seemed to be to do for them- selves up to the very limit of their ability. They de- served to succeed if ever a little band of Christians had any such deserving.
"On Thursday, April 7th, 1814 the Rev. Titus Strong arrived with his family and performed Divine Service and preached at the church on the 8th, being Good Friday." Mr. Strong had been ordained Deacon by Bish- op Griswold during the month preceding. On Easter Monday came the second annual parish meeting. A number of changes took place in the Vestry. It was voted "that we will proceed immediately to finish the church in a neat, plain style." It was also voted "that the Wardens and Vestry be, and they are by this vote authorized and directed to hire of Shubael Bell, Esq., of Boston the sum of five hundred dollars for the use of the parish for the term of four years, and to give him security for the payment of the principal and in- terest."
With money in hand at last a determined effort was
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now made to finish the church building. Bids were called for and a contract made with Elijah Alvord "to lath, plaister and finish the church throughout in every respect except making the doors to the slips, for which he is to receive the sum of three hundred and eighty four dollars. The materials for finishing to be furnished by the parish. It was found necessary to get subscriptions for a second coat of "plaister," and to borrow eighty dollars for additional "materials," but otherwise the work of construction went on, and by the 6th day of Aug- ust the church was in such a finished state that a meeting was called to dispose of the slips or pews, the money so raised to be appropriated to the support of the ministry.
It was also voted at this meeting "that application be made to the Rt. Reverend the Bishop of the Eastern Diocese, to consecrate St. James' Church; and that he be respectfully invited to repair to Greenfield on Wed- nesday the 31st day of this present month for that purpose."
At the sale of pews which followed some forty seven were disposed of to the amount of $490. One pew was reserved for the use of Rev. Mr. Strong's family, and four were reserved "for the use of strangers and poor people."
"On Sunday, August 7th, 1814, the church being fin- ished, Divine Service was performed in it, and an ap- propriate discourse delivered by the Rev. Mr. Strong."
On August 23rd Shubael Bell presented to the parish "an elegant Altar Piece, a common seal and a silver communion plate. The whole expense to him must have been more than one hundred dollars."
"On Wednesday, August the 31st, 1814, the Bishop and a large procession of clergy and laiety proceeded to the church; the Deed of Dedication after being publicly read by the Rev. Titus Strong, was in due form deliv- ered to the Bishop, who did then in the usual form con-
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secrate the Church to Almighty God, and set it apart for the use of His holy worship and service." The sermon was preached by the Rev. Philander Chase of Hartford. In the afternoon Evening Prayer was said by the Rev. Birdseye Noble of Middletown and "an excellent sermon delivered by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Griswold."
"The day was remarkably pleasant and the con- course of the people so large that not more than two thirds could be accomodated in the church. The great- est order and harmony were preserved." Some church people from a distance came to honor the occasion and "several of the Dissenting Clergymen in the neighbor- hood were present to witness the solemnities of the day."
On the following Sunday, the 4th of September, Mr. Strong read the services for the day, and the Bishop delivered "two excellent and appropriate sermons." "In the forenoon confirmation was administered to forty per- sons."
The first confirmation class then was one of the largest presented in the entire history of the parish. The Bish- op would accept no recompense even for his expenses, and in addition generously gave ten dollars towards the Minister's Fund. The other notable event of this event- ful day was the opening of a subscription "for the pur- pose of procuring a surplice, and enough was obtained to purchase one except $1.50."
The work of the parish now started off in earnest. In the month of December a special meeting was held at which it was "voted unanimously to invite the Rev. Titus Strong to take upon himself the Rectorship of this parish. Voted unanimously to give the Rev. Titus Strong five hundred dollars annual sal- ary so long as he shall continue Rector of this parish." Mr. Strong had been hitherto simply Minister-in-charge. His term of office as agreed upon was only for a year. Now it was to be made permanent. Soon after the meeting a letter was sent off to the Bishop as follows :-
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"Right Rev. and Dear Sir :-
It gives us much pleasure to inform you that the Episcopal parish of St. James' Church in this town have made choice of the Rev. Titus Strong as their Rector. That you may know the temporal support we have pro- vided for him, we enclose an extract from the Records of the parish. As a committee in behalf of the parish, we have to request that you would appoint some time convenient to yourself, and early after the settling of the spring. to institute Mr. Strong in the holy office, and that you would attend and perform the sacred and solemn ceremony. Permit us, Rev. Sir, to make to you the assurance of our individual respect and filial regard, asking you to have us in remembrance in your devo- tional exercises.
(Signed ) R. E. Newcomb Thomas Chapman Parish Committee."
On the first Sunday in February following, Mr. Strong communicated from the pulpit his answer to the invita- tion of the Parish. It is worth giving in full.
"To the Members of the Parish and Church of St. James in Greenfield.
Having received notice from a committee of the said Parish and Church that a vote has passed inviting me to become the Rector of the same, and that a request be transmitted to the Bishop of the Eastern Diocese that he would proceed to the institution according to the regulations and order of the Episcopal Church, I now signify to the church at large, as I verbally declared to the committee, my disposition and readiness to com- ply with their desires; and in making known my ac- ceptance of the sacred charge which you are committing to my hands, under the direction of the Great Head of
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ST. JAMES CHURCH, 1814-1847.
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the Vineyard, I feel it my duty to call your attention to a few observations which the important subject has suggested; for important above all others it most surely must be considered; and I trust that it is with an en- tire dependance upon God for support and a desire to be useful to my fellow creatures, that I am induced to en- ter as a laborer in this part of His holy Church. My earnest prayer has been directed to Him for His guid- ance, and I humbly hope that His direction has not been withheld. Of my own unworthiness and many im- perfections, I am sensible; but of these it does not be- come me to speak. Your candor, I trust, will draw a veil over the common failings of human nature, and may the Great Redeemer pardon in His servants these weaknesses and follies which are inseparable from a com- munication with this evil and corrupt world. You will ever bear in mind that a minister is but a man, sur- rounded by the same snares and exposed to the same frailities with others; and although devoted to the ser- vice of God, and the interests of the kingdom of right- eousness, yet that he is not free from the workings of a depraved heart, nor entirely delivered from the dominion of sin and of death. Although he may have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts, still he is ever sensible that he finds a law within him, that when he would do good, evil is present; that although he delights in the law of God after the inward man, he sees another law in his members warring against the law of his mind and bringing him into captivity to the law of sin. But however subject to human infirmity the professed servant of Christ who has taken upon himself the office of an ambassador of peace and salva- tion to his fellow men may be, however exposed to sin- fulness, and in himself, however unworthy, we may hope that if he be faithful and sincere, the blessings of Heaven accompanying his labors, will not be proportioned to
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his defects, but dealt out according to the rich mercy of God in Christ Jesus, who is able to make the most feeble and unworthy instrument redound to His glory and honor. To this end the united prayers of the people should constantly ascend to the throne of grace for their religious instructor, that he may be supported in the arduous duties of his office; that his exertions may prove successful in destroying the empire of Satan, and in bringing men out of the darkness and bondage of sin into the marvelous light and liberty of the sons of God. I need not remind you, bretheren, that I come not unto you with the excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God; nor is it nec- ossary that your faith should stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. The Gospel of Jesus Christ which we preach is opposed to all the systems of this world, and it is necessary to your edification that it be delivered with all plainness and simplicity. We do not strive to please the natural taste or to gratify the curiosity of men, but it is our object to change their hearts, to subdue their angry passions, and to reform their lives. This is the end and design of the Christian religion; it was for this that Christ and his Apostles labored, and it is this that will call forth the exertions of every minister of the gospel until time shall be no more. You are no doubt sensible of the importance of Christianity to the wellfare and final happiness of man- kind. Your zeal has evinced it, in your endeavors to establish a Church upon the foundation which was laid by Christ and his Apostles; in your labors for the pres- ervation and increase of that faith which was once delivered to the saints; and in your readiness to sup- port a regular and authorized ministry for the preaching of the word, and the administration of those holy sac- raments which were instituted by the Saviour. So far, God has evidently blessed your exertions, and we humbly
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hope that he who has begun a good work in you, will per- form it until the day of Jesus Christ. In a Church, commenced under circumstances and placed in a situa- tion like this, you cannot but perceive the difficulties which your minister must encounter. This will render you sensible of the assistance which he ought to expect from your hands, and dispose you to aid him by every means in your power in the performance of the great work which he has undertaken. You will remember that your labors are not to cease upon his investment with the sacred Office, but that you are still to strive together for the faith of the gospel, in nothing terrified by your adversaries, which is to them an evident token of per- dition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but to suffer for His sake. Bear also in mind that it is not merely for the establishment of a particular denomination, or the propagation of favorite doctrines, that you have exerted yourself in forming a Church, or that he is to labor, whom you have chosen for your minister. It is the great salvation for which you have toiled, and to him the care of your im- mortal souls is committed, for the faithfulness with which he has watched over them, the anxiety he has manifested for their conversion, the plainness of his instruction, the truth of his doctrines, and the solemnity of his warnings, he must be answerable at the tribunal of his God. And surely this is a consideration which ought to call forth your prayers, and insure to him your aid and support. The desire of his heart, and the as- sistance which he needs, is union among yourselves, increase in grace, and a zeal according to knowledge, in extending the Redeemer's kingdom. Unanimity is the bond of every Christian virtue. Where quarrels, animosities and dissentions prevail, there can be no true religion; and as you value the existence and continuance
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of your Church, as you regard the doctrines and precepts of the gospel of peace, and as you prize your everlasting happiness, I beseech you to let them be unknown in your society. Let not the peace of your minister be disturbed, and his labors defeated by variance among yourselves; but live and love like bretheren, members of the same family, partakers of the same faith, travelling to the same immortality, and alike trusting for salvation in the merits of a crucified Redeemer. Be gentle and kind also to your enemies, rendering not evil for evil, nor rail- ing for railing, but adorn in all things the religion you profess, and put to silence the evil speaking of foolish men by your correct lives and pure conversation. In- crease in grace. Let it be seen that the instructions of the pulpit are not without effect. Nothing can be more painful to a faithful minister of Christ than to behold his labors received with indifference and contempt. If then you value his feelings and your own happiness, profit from his instructions and receive kindly his re- proofs, that he may receive many souls as the crown of his rejoicing, and in the great day of his trial, be able to approach his Master, saying, Here, Lord am I and the people whom Thou hast given me. Let your zeal in the cause of religion be the effect of true and un- feigned piety, equally removed from the extreme of superstition on the one hand, and that of enthusiasm on the other. It is the desire of every true minister of Jesus to behold the kingdom of his Redeemer flourish; and it is his greatest happiness to behold his people united and active in advancing its interests and ex- tending its power. To this end let all your zeal be directed, and whatever may be your rank or station, remember that we are laborers together in the same vineyard, and accountable to the same Master and Judge. It might be expected that in settling among you I should say something with respect to the doctrines which I
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