USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Cambridge > Records of the Church of Christ at Cambridge in New England, 1632-1830, comprising the ministerial records of baptisms, marriages, deaths, admission to covenant and communion, dismissals and church proceedings > Part 24
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Nathan Watson jun, & al. note Aug. 17, 1801. 100.
Do note Feb. 11, 1802 50.
(82)
Is] Shattuck & al. bond July 19, 1802 60.
Nath1 P. Watson & al. note
July 1, 1806 35.25
Joseph Stevens & al. note
March 1, 1814
250.
Wm Watson & al. note
" 1809
945.
Wm Hilliard & al. note
-
149.17
Royal Morse & al. note,
March 1, 1811 9.
Peter Coolidge & al. note
May 1, 1813 50.
Nath1 Munro & al. note
March 28, 1814 150.
2131.75
By cash paid the Parish Treasurer
83.10
By expense & trouble in negotiating the fund 10.
Balance in the hands of the Deacons 9.21
$2234. 6
391
Records of the First Church in Cambridge.
The foregoing we find to be the true state of the unap- propriated Church Fund in the hands of the Deacons, exclusive of interest due since the first of March last.
Caleb Gannett T. L. Jennison § Com tee.
Cambridge June 29, 1814. We the Deacons of the first Church in Cambridge have attended the examination by the Committee into the state of the Church Funds under our care, and are satisfied with the foregoing Report as it respects both the appropriated and unappropriated Funds, and do hereby declare our agreement to it. John Walton William Hilliard.
The Committee proceeded to enquire into the state of the Fund appropriated to the use of the Poor of said Church, and found the Deacons Dr. 1814.
June 29. To Amt. of sundry Securities for money at intt June 29, 1813 433.54
To intt recd from March 1, 1813 to March 1, 1814 24. 9
To balance in the hands of the Deacons 14.28
471.91
Deduct erroneous entry of a Note in 1811 32. Do Do int on do 3.84 35.84
$436.7
(83)
Supra
-- Cr.
1814
June 29. By Moses Coolidge & al. bond May 6, 1797 125.
John Walton & al. do July 17, 1799 80.
Wm Watson & al. do March 29, 1803 80.
James Munro & al. note Jan. 1, 1806 24.10
William Hilliard & al. note March 1, 1809 42. Royal Morse & al. note March 1. 1811 32.
Nath1 & James Munro note March 28, 1814 36. 419.10
392
Records of the First Church in Cambridge.
By cash distributed to certain indigent persons 12.
Balance in the hands of the Deacons 4.97
$436. 7
The above appears to the Committee a true state of the above Fund, exclusive of interest due since the 1st of March last.
Caleb Gannett T. L. Jennison Committee."
Voted, That the Report be accepted.
At a meeting of the Church 4 Novr. 1814.
1814 Nov. 4. The Committee, chosen 16 Jany. to confer with George B. English on the subject of his recent Publication &c. made the following REPORT.
"That they have had an interview with Mr English, at which he treated the committee and the church with civility and respect, but did not retract the sentiments that he had maintained in his publication, which he allowed to be a virtual renunciation of Christianity, and incompatible with his continued relations to this church.
The only concefsion he made was, that he had used some contumelious exprefsions which he did not entirely justify ; but he did not retract any of the sentiments ad- vanced in that book.
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"Your committee plainly stated to the offending brother the peculiar aggravations of his offence. They reminded him, that, during his connection with the church of Christ, and while under the bonds of the covenant by which he was voluntarily and solemnly engaged to walk in communion with us, he had exerted his talents and used his endeavours to subvert Christianity, and to bring the church into contempt.
They also faithfully and tenderly declared to him the serious offence taken at his conduct by the members of the church; their solicitude for his recovery to their charity ; and the serious consequences, present and future, of persisting in his unbelief and opposition to Christianity.
393
Records of the First Church in Cambridge.
At the close of the conference, the committee inquired, whether he was willing to reconsider the subject, and to confer upon it with individuals of the committee. He readily profefsed a willingness; engaged to hold such conferance; and promised in case of any alteration in his principles or views, to give information of it to the committee.
"It is with deep regret that the committee are con- strained to add, that, although Mr English continued several months in the vicinity after this interview, and was frequently in Cambridge, he never called on one of the committee for the proposed conference, nor commu- nicated any thing to them on the subject; that, though the pastor of the church, hearing of his intended depar- (85)
ture for the Southern States, called at his fathers house in Brighton, where he then resided, and left a request to see him in Cambridge, he never saw him, nor received any communication from him afterwards; and that several weeks ago, as the committee are informed, he sat out from Brighton for Virginia, not expecting soon to return.
"In the serious and deliberate view of this unhappy and unprecedented case, the committee are of the opinion, that, although the offending brother did, by the original offence separate himself from the church, he still re- mained subject to its discipline; that this act neither absolved him from his obligations to us, nor released us from ours to him and to the Christian Church; and that, as the discipline of the church in this case hitherto has proceeded on the principle of this mutual and continued obligation, so any future, regular act of the church, relat- ing to the case, would be in scriptural and ecclesiastical order; and, finally, that though the offender is virtually separated from us by his own act, yet the honour and interests of our holy religion in general, and of this church in particular, do render a further procedure in this case expedient.
"The Committee, do, accordingly, recommend to the Church to consider and decide, Whether the conduct
394
Records of the First Church in Cambridge.
of George Bethune English has not incurred a forfeiture (86)
of the privileges of the church, and brought such scandal on our holy religion, as to render his excision from the church, by a formal act, just and expedient. Should such be the opinion of the Church, the Committee are prepared to report a form of procedure.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
A. Holmes Pr order."
Cambridge 30 June 1814.
The Committee, having at a previous communication of this Report (at a meeting of the Church July 1st) been requested to resume their communication with Mr English, further communicated the copy of a letter from the Pastor to him dated 25 July, to which no answer had been received.
After a deliberate and serious discufsion, it was Voted, That the Report be accepted.
The question referred, at the close of the Report, to the consideration and decision of the Church, was then put, & pafsed in the affirmative.
The following Vote of Excommunication was then pafsed :
"Whereas George Bethune English, by a recent publi- cation, entitled, 'The Grounds of Christianity examined by comparing the New Testament with the Old'; has publicly & opprobriously afsailed our holy religion, not lefs to the scandal of the Christian Community, than to the grief & scandal of this Church; and whereas by this conduct he has violated his own solemn covenant engage- ments, renounced his Christian profefsion, scandalized the christian name, and proved himself to be, not merely an apostate from the Christian Church, but an enemy to the Christian religion; and whereas the faithful endeav- ours of the church to reclaim him have proved ineffectual;
Voted, That George Bethune English be excommuni- cated."
(87)
CHURCH IN HARVARD COLLEGE.
After divine service on Lord's day 30 October, 1814.
395
Records of the First Church in Cambridge.
the Pastor communicated a letter from the President of Harvard College accompanied with votes and proceedings of the Corporation and Overseers respecting the forma- tion of the members of the University into a distinct Society for religious instruction, worship and ordinances on the Lord's day. By this communication it appeared, that the measure was adopted with a view to certain advantages therein stated, and that "the change medi- tated is in perfect consistency with that entire respect and affection which the University entertains towards the pastor and people of the First Parish in the town, with which she has from the beginning been united in public acts of religion." It also appeared, that a com- mittee of the college government was instructed to give notice to the minister and congregation of the First Parish in Cambridge of the intended change, and to express the sentiments of regard and fraternity felt by the members of the several College Boards. and the desire of Christian and friendly communion between the two Societies that may be formed : Also, that a Chapel is now provided in University Hall, accomodated to the pro- posed change; that measures had been taken for form- ing a church and administering the ordinances in the new chapel; and that this church is asked to concur in the design by dissolving the connection of such members connected with the University, as may apply for that purpose, also to be present by their pastor and delegates at the formation of a church within the walls of the University."
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Whereupon voted unanimously.
That the reasons assigned for the proposed measure, so far as it respects this church, are entirely satisfactory; and that the church is ready to concur in the design.
Voted, To send five delegates to accompany the pastor at the proposed formation of the college church; and, that the Pastor be requested to reciprocate the assurances of regard and fraternity so kindly expressed by the Uni- versity towards us.
396
Records of the First Church in Cambridge.
The delegates chosen by the church were deacon Walton deacon Hilliard, with brethren Caleb Gannett, James Winthrop, and Timothy L. Jennison.
Communications.
I. Extract of a Letter from the President of the Uni- versity to the Pastor of the First Church in Cambridge, Cambridge Oct. 21, 1814.
Dear Sir.
I send you an official communication signed by me as Chairman of a Committee of the Corporation and Overseers, inclosing the votes & doings of the Boards respecting our worship.
You will please use your discretion respecting the time and manner of communicating the documents. *
* We expect to be prepared to enter the Chapel on the first sabbath in November, at farthest, & to have the church gathered & formed between 9 & 10 o'clock of the morning of that day, when we ask the presence of yourself & delegates to witness & acknowledge our Christian standing as a church.
with great respect & affection Dr Sir, Your obedient servant
Rev. Dr Holmes J. T. Kirkland. (89)
II. Transactions of the Corporation & Overseers.
At a meeting of the President & Fellows of Harvard College June 27. 1814.
The Committee appointed to consider and report upon the method of conducting the public worship have at- tended to the service and report.
That the Overseers of the College in Oct. 1812, ac- cepted and recommended to the attention of the Corpora- tion a Report of the semiannual Committee of the Over- seers, explicitly advising a distinct religious service within the University; that the University soon after resolved upon the erection of University Hall with a view, among other objects, to providing a Chapel, sufficiently capac-
397
Records of the First Church in Cambridge.
ious for the assembly contemplated in such a service and in the expectation that, when it should be completed, the publick worship and instructions of the University on the Lord's day would be conducted within its walls.
The acknowledged benefits that may be expected to attend such a measure, especially that arising from the opportunity it will afford of a degree of appropriateness in the exercises and of particularity and adaption in the instructions, which the claims of a mixed congregation do not allow; The convenience of calling the attention of the students on one part of the Lord's day to the dis- courses in a systematic form, hitherto delivered less advantageously on a week day; the approved practice of other Universities; and the accomodations & means for adopting it in this Institution which will soon be enjoyed, are considerations which strongly enforce the establish- ment in question; whilst, at the same time, they explain the change meditated in perfect consistency with that (90)
entire respect and affection which the University enter- tains towards the pastor and people of the first Parish in the town, with which she has, from the beginning, been united in public acts of religion.
The Committee propose the following votes
1. That when the Chapel shall be completed, the usual services of the Lord's day shall be observed therein-on which the resident Graduates & Undergraduates shall attend, and to which the several officers of the College with their families shall be invited.
2. That proper measures be taken for forming a church and administering the ordinances in the chapel; mem- bers of the College government with their families, & students, Graduates & Undergraduates to be the only stated communicants.
3. That the Charge of presiding and officiating in the public services thus appointed, and performing other ministerial offices be committed to the President and the Hollis Professor of Divinity.
4. That when the services shall commence, the public
398
Records of the First Church in Cambridge.
lecture of the Professor, now assigned to Tuesday of each week in term time, shall be delivered on one part of the day on the Sabbath.
5. That such modification and transfer of the duties now incumbent on the President be made, as this new service shall appear to demand and the interests of College may admit.
(91)
6. That these votes be presented to the Overseers, that they may approve the same if they see fit; and if they be thus approved.
7. That the President, with such as the Overseers may join, be a committee to give notice to the minister and Congregation of the first parish in Cambridge of the intended change, and to express the sentiments of regard and fraternity felt by the members of the several College Boards, and the desire of Christian and friendly com- munion between the two Societies that may be. formed; and that the President and Treasurer be a committee to agree with them upon the connexion which the college shall in future have with said parish.
John Lathrop Pr order.
The foregoing Report was accepted.
At a meeting of the Overseers of Harvard College July 7, 1814. The Hon. & Revd Board concurred in the forego- ing votes and acts of the Corporation, and appointed the Revd Dr Porter & the Hon. Artemas Ward to join with the Committee of the Corporation in communicating the doings of the Boards to the Pastor & congregation of the first Parish in Cambridge.
John Lathrop Secretary. (92)
III. Letter from the Comtee of Corporation & Overseers. Harvard College Oct. 19, 1814.
To the Pastor, the Church & Congregation in the first parish in Cambridge;
Christian friends,
The joint Committee of the Corporation & Overseers, appointed for the purpose, herewith com-
.
399
Records of the First Church in Cambridge.
municate the votes & proceedings of those Boards respect- ing the formation of the members of the University into a distinct Society, for religious instruction, worship and ordinances on the Lord's day. In announcing to you the proposed change, the Committee, in behalf of all the persons immediately connected with the University, and especially that portion of them resident here and accustomed to meet with you in the weekly duties of the sanctuary, are constrained to observe, that the idea of separation is attended with serious & tender emotions. This united service is endeared & consecrated by its association with former times, with the circumstances of our fathers & the dispensation of Providence towards the Commonwealth, the Town & the University from their commencement to the present period; and by the affecting recollection of that succession of enlightened & pious persons of both societies, who, through many generations, have assembled for the public acts of religion within the same walls. The ties of neighbourhood & friendship, the sympathy & regard naturally produced by a communion in religious acts, the experience of (93)
edification & comfort in attendance upon your services, combine to make us wish to continue going to the house of God in company. But the reasons suggested in the doings of the Boards for a separation have been thought sufficient to outweigh objections and justify any sacrifice of personal feelings & inclinations which it might involve. They lead us to believe, that the measure though in some respects undesirable and painful, yet viewed in all its cir- cumstances & bearings. may receive your approbation and good wishes.
We ask you to join us in prayer to God that it may conduce to the interests of true religion in the Seminary committed to our care. We trust that whilst divided in place we shall be united in affection and live in the interchange of Christian offices of brotherly esteem & love, as occasion may invite or require. We acknowledge
400
Records of the First Church in Cambridge.
with gratitude the uniform expression of solicitude for our best interests on the part of the pastor, people, & all the means of improvement & reformation with which we have been favored under the highly respected minis- try of this place. May the blessing of God be on you and your children forever.
We ask the church to concur with our design, by dis- solving the connexion of such members connected with the University as may apply for that purpose; also to be present by their pastor & delegates at the formation of a church within the walls of the University .... We also request the Parish to appoint a Committee to meet that of the Corporation to agree upon the connexion, which the University shall in future have with the Parish.
In behalf of the Committee, John T. Kirkland Rev. Dr. Holmes. Chairman.
(94)
IV. Answer to the preceding letter.
To the President & Legislative Government, the officers & Members, of the University in Cambridge.
Respected brethren & friends.
I received a communication of the 21st ult. signed in your behalf by the President, respecting the formation of the members of the University into a distinct Society for religious instruction, worship and ordinances, and communicated it to the Congregation after divine service, the last Lord's day.
To that part of it which relates to the Church, the atten- tion of the Church was directed ; and I send you the votes, passed on the occasion. By one of these votes I am requested in behalf of the Church, to reciprocate the assurances of respect, affection and fraternity, so kindly expressed by the University toward us.
In performing this duty, I can truly respond to you, "That the idea of a separation is attended with serious and tender emotions" The association of our "united service" with former years; a recurrence to the times
401
Records of the First Church in Cambridge.
that have gone over us, to the eventful changes in the college, commonwealth, and country, to the great and good men of both Societies, who have, in succession, for nearly two centuries, unitedly worshipped within the same walls, and particularly our illustrious predecessors in the presidency and ministry, distinguished for their learning and piety; and the interesting recollections of our own experience, the remembrance of those excellent (95)
Men, in the several offices of government and instruction in the University, now sleeping in the dust, with whose friendship, counsels and assistance we were favoured; respect and esteem for their successors now in office, and the comforts and benefits of the existing relations; the ties of neighbourhood, literary association, social inter- course, united devotions, and Christian fellowship; and the regards we entertain for the Pupils, who compose so important a part of our assembly, and whose improve- ment in knowledge and virtue has been the object of our incessant desire and prayer, conspire to render the thought of a separation equally solemn and affecting.
Allowing ourselves, however, to be influenced, on this occasion, by no other consideration than a regard to the best interests of the University, we cannot but acquiesce in a measure, designed for its benefit. Our prayer to GOD is, that it may, in all respects, be of kindly & salutary influence, and, particularly that it may conduce to the religious interests of the University - a Seminary con- secrated "TO CHRIST & THE CHURCH."
We are grateful for your benovelent petitions for us; and ask you to continue the prayers which you so affection- ately offer for us and our children.
May brotherly love continue. Short as is the distance, and small as will be the partition, between the places of our respective religious services, we indulge the pleasing persuasion, that we shall be united in affection, and that that the interchange of fraternal and Christian offices as occasion shall invite or require, will be perpetuated.
402
Records of the First Church in Cambridge.
(96)
We gratefully acknowledge the regard, uniformly shown us by the University, and the numerous acts and offices of kindness and fraternity we have experienced as individuals, and especially as a church and society. The remembrance of them will be always precious to us.
Brethren, farewell. "We bless you out of the house of the Lord."
In behalf of the Church. Abiel Holmes, Pastor.
Cambridge 5 Novr 1814.
COVENANT.
The Covenant subscribed by the members of the College Church, is dated, "Harvard College Nov. 6, 1814."
After a recital of the provisions of the College Govern- ment "for public worship & instruction in the Semi- nary, the formation of a Church, and the administration of Christian ordinances and discipline therein," it is added. "The undersigned are desirous of concurring in these views of the College Legislature; trusting that the measure proposed will meet the divine blessing, and be found conducive to the interests of religion & virtue in this place of education."
"We do therefore, in the presence of God, in the name "of Jesus Christ his Son, and in humble dependance on "his spirit agree to become members of a Christian Church "in the University, of the Congregational denomination. "We consider this act, by which we thus unite, as a "deliberate testimony of our belief in the Christian relig- "ion & our desire to be the subjects of its influence, & "partakers of its blessings; as an engagement to observe "Christian worship & ordinances with the Church, as we "shall have opportunity; as a pledge of brotherly love & "of the duty of mutual encouragement & assistance in "promoting in ourselves & others the power of religion; "& finally, as a solemn acknowledgement of the word of "God, as the rule of our faith and practice." (Signed by the President & 15 others.)
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Records of the First Church in Cambridge.
On the morning of Lord's day 6 Nov. 1814, the Church was organized at University Hall, in the presence & by the assistance of the Pastor & Delegates of the first Church in Cambridge.
Attest A. Holmes, Moder".
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1615.
At a meeting of the Church 30 June, 1815, the Com- mittee on the Church Funds made the following RE- PORT.
"The Committee appointed to enquire into the state of the Church Stock have attended that service, and report the following Statement.
1815 The Deacons of the first Church in Cambridge Dr.
June 23. To amt of Securities by them placed at intt June 29, 1814 2131.75
To intt recd from March 1st 1814 to March 1st 1815 127.90
To 3 months interest of $1328.33 19.92
To Contribution money at Communion-balance 15. 2
Balance in the hands of the Deacons 24. 9
$2318.68
Memo. The above interest for three months 19.92 ac- crued from Wm & Nathan Watson's Notes & Bonds, computed from the 1st. of March to the 1st. of June, when they were merged in William Jennison's bond.
1815 Supra Cr
June 23. By Jonathan & Wm Stones bond March
1,1801 100.
Israel Shattuck & al. bond July 19, 1802 60. Nath1. P. Watson & al. note March 1, 1810 35.25
Joseph Stevens & al. note 66
1814 250.
William Hilliard & al. note 1809 149.17
404
Records of the First Church in Cambridge.
Royal Morse & al. note March 1,
1811 9.
Peter Coolidge & al. note May 1, 1813 50.
Nathaniel Munro & al. note March 28, 1814 150.
Wm. Jennison & al. bond & mortgage June 13, 1815, 1420. (in part).
By cash paid the Parish Treasurer 85.26
By expence & trouble in negotiating the Fund 10.
$2318.68
Memº Of the Bond of William Jennison viz $1500. the part charged above, only, belongs to this Fund the residue, viz $80 belongs to the Poor's Fund. The foregoing we find to be the true state of the unap- propriated Church Fund in the hands of the Deacons, exclusive of interest due since the 1st of March last.
Caleb Gannett James Winthrop Committee T. L. Jennison (98)
The Committee proceeded to enquire into the state of the Fund appropriated to the use of the Poor of said Church, and found the Deacons Dr.
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