USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Hanover > The Church and Cemetery Records of Hanover, Mass. > Part 3
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In the following November, the subject of church discipline was again considered, and at two meetings, after a long discus- sion, in which it was contended by some members, that a public acknowledgment of their faults before the congregation, on the part of members who had publicly offended was inexpedient and unprofitable, and by some contrary to Scripture. It was finally unanimously voted that members of the church should be re-
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REV. SETH CHAPIN.
quired to make acknowledgment and manifest their penitence only before the church. Nevertheless, if they chose, they could do so before the congregation.
Again the pastor and church felt a need for a day of fasting and prayer, and the Ist of January, 1824, was set apart, and the several neighboring churches, having agreed to set apart the same day, this church met in the house of the pastor to pray for its own pastor and church, and also for the pastor and churches also assembled for the same purpose in other places.
It seems that after a year and a quarter, the members had had time to converse with the person, in regard to whom they were so silent, for we find that they were ready to vote, and did vote to receive him, Jan. 27th, of this year. Feb. 19th the pastor resigned his office, and asked for an ecclesiastical council to meet on the 21st day of April, for the purpose of dissolving the pastoral relation. The church granted his request, and in their records expressed their "deep contrition and humiliation before Almighty God under his providential frown upon them," feeling it to be their "painful duty, all existing circumstances consid- ered, to concur with their beloved pastor." Accordingly, in union with the parish, committees were chosen and a council was summoned by letters missive. The council met, and after examining into the case, regularly dismissed him, expressing the deep interest they felt in the "afflictive circumstances in which it has pleased a sovereign God to place this church and people by this decision." His dismissal was caused by a want of pecuni- ary support. The salary agreed upon, when he was settled, was $500, which seems to have been collected and paid without much difficulty, for the first three years of his ministry. Soon after the beginning of the fourth year, a committee was sent to him, to see if he would accept a less sum, which had been subscribed. To their communication he returned a respectful answer July 6th, 1822, stating, that with the prospects before him, he was not prepared to say that he dared venture to hope that anything less would defray his necessary expenses. During the fourth year his salary was raised by taxation, but the fifth year the
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REV. ETHAN SMITH.
parish returned to the subscription plan, and at the close make the following minutes :-
"Considering the diminished and impoverished state of this parish, they do not think it expedient to raise money to defray the Rev. Mr. Chapin's salary for the ensuing year."
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Those were critical times, especially for the feeble Congrega- tional Churches in Massachusetts. By a recent decision of Chief Justice Parsons, of the Supreme Court of this State, the autonomy of the churches had been destroyed. By this decis- ion, in the Dedham case, no church could hold property, or in fact could have a legal existence aside from the parish or society with which it was connected. It took from the churches all their possessions, and put all their funds, and even their com- munion ware, at the entire control of the society, the majority of whom, in many cases, might be made to vote to employ min- isters who would preach against the doctrines of the Congrega- tional churches. Had it not been that this parish was a close corporation, the church might, in its feebleness, like many oth- ers, have passed over into another denomination.
In view of the straitened circumstances and embarrassments of Rev. Mr. Chapin, they affectionately recommended him to the sympathy of the people among whom he labored, in the hope that they would make such exertions for his relief as the case would require. The council, in their result, expressed their con- tinued and undiminished confidence in him, in his Christian integrity, and their respect for his ministerial talents and attain- ments, and they commended him to others with whom his lot may be cast, and they commended this church to the unfailing protection of the great Head of the Church.
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During his ministry 12 persons were admitted into the church and 27 were baptized. After the dismissal of Mr. Chapin, the church did not despair, but began to look around for a new pas- tor, for one who might make it more easy, or at least more prac- ticable to sustain the ordinances of the gospel in this first church of the town. They were, however, without a settled pastor until 1827, when they gave to REV. ETHAN SMITH a call. Dur-
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ing this time they were not without the ministrations of the gospel. In the same year after the departure of Mr. Chapin they were much cheered by the ladies. The parish received- from certain ladies living in this and adjoining towns, not sub- ject to taxation (as they say), who had formed themselves into a society which they termed "The Female Helping Society,"- a communication to be laid before the parish. In this communi- cation these ladies said: That, in view of the reduced numbers and resources of the society, they have obtained one hundred and thirty or forty dollars, which they would like to give the parish to aid in securing another minister, and they very respect- fully added, that, if it met the concurrence of the parish, they would be particularly gratified if the parish would engage Mr. Noah Emerson. The parish, anxious to meet such generosity in a suitable manner, made an offer to Mr. Emerson to become their pastor, which, for some reason, was not accepted.
While the church was without a pastor, the members of the church held their meetings, and attended to church discipline, and the reception of members. Eighteen persons were by them received into the church, and the pulpit was more or less sup- plied by different preachers. The parish also became interested and engaged in building a NEW MEETING HOUSE-the THIRD ONE. Those were spirited times, on account of the different views entertained, and the earnest discussions resulting therefrom.
According to the records this meeting-house was built before the call of Rev. Mr. Smith to be the pastor ; for March 19th, 1827, the church held a meeting in the new meeting house, and voted to extend a call to REV. ETHAN SMITH to become their settled pastor. The parish concurred with the church, and the following churches were invited: The 2d and 3d churches in Abington; 2d in Weymouth; church in Brain- tree; Union Church in Braintree and Weymouth; church in Hanson; Ist church in Scituate, and 2d in Cohasset.
Barry says: "That the Rev. Ethan Smith, the 7th pastor, was born in Belchertown, Mass., Dec. 17, 1762. He married in 1791, Bathsheba Sandford, second daughter of Rev. David Sand-
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REV. ETHAN SMITH.
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ford, of Medway, Mass. He was in Haverhill, N. H., nine years, and was dismissed for want of support. He was installed in the ministry at Hopkinton, N. H., March 12, 1800, and continued there about 18 years, during 16 of which he was Secretary of the New Hampshire Missionary Society. He was afterwards settled at Hebron, N. Y., about 4 years ; at Poultney, Vt., about 5 years; at Hanover, Mass., 5 years; and then spent a season as a city missionary in Boston. His publications were, I. A Dissertation on the Prophecies, two editions; 2. A View of the Trinity, two editions; 3. A View of the Hebrews, two editions; 4. Lectures on the Subjects and Mode of Baptism, two editions; 5. A Key to the Figurative Language of the Bible; 6. Memoirs of Mrs. Abigail Bailey; 7. A Key to the Revelation, two editions; 8. Prophetic Catechism; 9. Two Sermons on Episcopacy; 10. Farewell. Sermon at Haverhill, N. H .; 11. First Sermon after Installation at Hopkinton; 12. Two Sermons on the Vain Ex- cuses of Sinners, preached at Washington, N. H .; 13. Sermon on the Moral Perfection of God, preached at Newburyport, Mass .; 14 Sermon on the Daughters of Zion Excelling, preached before a Female Cent Society; 15. Sermon on the Happy Transition of Saints, preached at the Funeral of Mrs. Jemima, consort of Rev. Dr. Harris, of Dunbarton; 16. Sermon at the Ordination of Rev. Stephen Martindale, at Tinmouth, Vt .; and 17. Sermon at the Ordination of Rev. Harvey Smith, at Weybridge, Vt.
"His children were Myron, born in Haverhill, N. H., 1794, and died 1818, aged 24; Lyndon Arnold, born at Haverhill, 1795, graduated at Dartmouth College, married a daughter of Rev. Dr. Griffin, and settled as a physician in Newark, N. J .; Stephen Sandford, born at Haverhill, 1797, and settled as pastor of the Congregational Church, Westminster, Mass .; Laura, who died in infancy; Carlos, born in Hopkinton, 1801, graduated at Union College, and settled as pastor over the Presbyterian Church in Massillon, Ohio; Grace Fletcher, wife of Rev. Job H. Martin, died in Haverhill, Mass., 1840; Sarah Towne, second wife of Rev. J. H. Martin, of New York; Harriet, wife of William H. Sandford, of Boylston, Mass .; and Ellen, wife of C. B. Sedgwick, Esq., of Syracuse, died May 23, 1846, aged 33. The wife of Mr.
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Smith died in Pompey, N. Y., April 5, 1835, aged 64. He was living in 1847, in Boylston, Mass., but has since deceased.
"During the ministry of Mr. Smith the second meeting-house .was torn down, and the third, or present house erected; which stands in the centre of the town, facing the East, and is a modest structure, surmounted by a steeple, and in the belfry hangs the old bell given by Mr. Josselynn, in 1785, and recast in 1788."
Rev. Ethan Smith had offered to become a member of the church on the condition, that if his moral character or conduct should be called in question he should be tried only by a council mutually chosen for the purpose, and the church had received him on this condition as a member. His wife, Bethesda, pre- sented a letter from the church in Poultney, Vt.
In March, 1830, the church was invited to sit in council, by pastor and delegate, to aid in forming the Third Congregational Church, Plymouth, into two churches. Deacons Barstow and Cook were chosen, that one of them might accompany the pas- tor, as they shall agree.
At the monthly church meeting, held June 3d, 1831, the church voted, that in the future, examinations of candidates be as usual by the committee, but also in the presence of the church, and that other members besides the committee have opportunity to ask questions.
Sabbath noon, June 12th, a letter missive was read to the church from Kingston, requesting the aid of the church in the installation of a pastor over the evangelical church in that place. Dea. Isaac Cook, with Dea. Barstow, as alternate, was chosen delegate with the pastor. Again on Sabbath, Nov. 6th, a letter was read from a committee of the church in Halifax, requesting the church to aid (with a number of other churches mentioned in the letter) in an ex parte council, to give advice relative to difficulties between their pastor and themselves, the pastor hav- ing utterly declined to unite in calling a mutual council. This church voted not to comply with the request; at which the pas- tor, Mr. Smith, was grieved, deeming the vote uncharitable and irregular.
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REV. MR. WOODBURY.
About this time the pastor, being called to take a journey, hired a REV. MR. WOODBURY, of Boston, to supply his pul- pit two Sabbaths. Mr. Woodbury, though a total stranger to Mr. Smith, was well recommended, and was a candidate in good standing. After preaching one Sabbath, the church was con- vened on the following Thursday, Dec. Ist, and with Dea. Isaac Cook as moderator, voted to send the following communication:
"Congregational Church in Hanover to the Rev. Mr. Woodbury.
"SIR: Having heard you preach last Lord's Day, and believing as we do that your preaching is subversive of the Gospel of Christ, and contrary to the confession of faith adopted by this church, and danger- ous to the souls of men, we, therefore, request that you would not preach to us the next Lord's Day."
This, as well as a case of church discipline the year before, shows that the church had a regard for discipline and its well being. The last Sabbath in Dec. of the year 1831, Mr. Smith having received an invitation from the Board of Overseers of the City Missions, of Boston, to engage as a city missionary, requested of the church a dismissal, and accordingly a council was called, and he was regularly dismissed Jan. 12th, 1832. The council were unanimous in their conclusions, and expressed themselves as highly gratified to find, from the documents, that there was a state of very desirable harmony existing between the pastor and his church and society; and that nothing had been exhibited, or even suggested, as detrimental to the minis- terial, the Christian, or moral character of the pastor. In his youth, Mr. Smith learned the trade of "tanner and currier and shoemaker." At the age of 18 he became a soldier in the Rev- olutionary War, and was stationed at West Point when Benedict Arnold attempted to betray the fort and the country into the hands of the enemy. It was not until he had reached the age of 21 that he began preparation for a liberal education. At the age of 30 he was a well-educated man, having been graduated with honor at Dartmouth College. He spent some time in studying theology, with the distinguished Dr. Burton, of Thetford, Vt. His first settlement was at Haverhill, N. H., where he remained
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about 9 years. He was settled in Hopkinton, N. H., about 18 years, and when he was settled in Hanover, it was his fifth place of settlement. After he left Hanover, he labored about a year in Boston, as city missionary, and then was employed in the State of New York. His wife died in 1835, leaving him to travel alone the journey of life. He had ten children, eight of whom reached adult years. The whole period of Mr. Smith's ministry was 59 years. He was a great student of the Bible. His son, Rev. Carlos Smith, says of him: "He was an indefa- tigable Bible student, and beyond all the men I ever knew, fa- miliar with the Bible. It was with him THE Book. He pored over it with ever fresh delight. I remember hearing him say, in his old age, 'new beauties were opened up to him contin- ually.' He had a warm and deep sympathy for all classes of men, however ignorant and degraded, and for all of those Christian and benevolent societies and operations which are adapted to promote human elevation and human happiness." He spent the closing years of his life with his children, partic- ularly with his daughter, the wife of William H. Sanford, of Boylston, where he died in the year 1849. It is remarkable that three of his sons were in the ministry, as pastors, and three of his daughters were wives of pastors.
At a regular church meeting, held April 4th, 1833, a commit- tee of three was chosen, consisting of Dea. Isaac Cook, Dea. Elijah Barstow, and Elisha Bass, to visit those members whom they judged to walk disorderly, and to make a report to the church at some future day. The same committee was appointed to make inquiry respecting the articles of faith. On the 8th day of the following June, a regular meeting of the church was held in the vestry, and Dea. Elijah Barstow being chosen moderator, an invitation was extended to the REV. ABEL G. DUNCAN to become their pastor, and Elisha Bass was appointed a com- mittee to communicate to Mr. Duncan the doings of the church. The following is the answer to their invitation:
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REV. ABEL G. DUNCAN.
To the Con'l Chh. in Hanover and the Society connected therewith.
BRETHREN AND FRIENDS: Having prayerfully considered your invi- tation to settle among you in the Gospel ministry, and the leadings of Divine Providence, I now cheerfully consent to take the oversight of you, and to minister to you in holy things, on the conditions proposed. Praying that you may share with your children and the Israel of God in the blessings of his gracious covenant, I subscribe myself your ser- vant for Christ's sake. A. G. DUNCAN.
Hanover, Aug. 2d, 1833.
Accordingly, a council was convened at the house of Rev. Abel G. Duncan, Aug. 22d, for the purpose of installing him pastor, if thought proper. The council was composed of repre- sentatives from the following churches : 2d church, Abington; 3d church, Abington; 2d church, Randolph; Union church, Braintree and Weymouth ; church in North Wrentham. Also Rev. Stephen Thurston of West Prospect, Me., afterward of Searsport, Me., was invited and was present. The members of the council were unanimous in voting that they were satisfied, after due examination into Mr. Duncan's doctrinal opinions, his views of experimental piety, his aptness to teach, and his views relative to entering the ministry of the Gospel. Installation services were held in the church at 2 o'clock, when the following persons took part : Rev. Moses Thatcher, of North Wrentham, offered the introductory prayer ; Rev. Stephen Thurston preached the sermon; Rev. Jonas Perkins, of Braintree, made the prayer of installation; Rev. Daniel Thomas, of 2d church, Abington, the moderator, gave the charge to the pastor; Rev. D. Brigham, of 2d church, Randolph, gave the right hand of fellowship; and Rev. Lucius Alden, of 3d church, Abington, the scribe, offered the concluding prayer. In the month of October following, Mr. Duncan and his wife were received as members of the church. Rev. Abel G. Duncan was born in Chester, Vt., in 1802. He graduated at the Bangor Theological Seminary in 1828, was set- tled for four years in Jackson and Brooks, Maine, and was installed in Hanover Aug. 22d, 1833. He proved himself a faithful minister and an excellent citizen, having had the honor
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to represent the town for six years in the State Legislature, and having been for many years chairman of the school committee. Mr. Duncan remained in Hanover a little more than twenty years, and was active in school matters, and in the cause of temperance and that of anti-slavery. During his ministry the church experi- enced three special seasons of revival, and 60 persons by profes- sion and letter were added to the church. Soon after Mr. Duncan became pastor, two persons were excommunicated; one for breach of covenant "in going to the Baptists without consulting with the church, and neglecting to give the church satisfaction," and the other for having "embraced the heresy of Universalism." In May, 1835, Joshua Perry was chosen delegate with the pastor to attend a council in Scituate, in order to install Rev. Luke Spofford pastor over the Trinitarian Church. In the following month the pastor, with Wm. Church, were sent to meet in council to advise the church in South Weymouth in relation to their affairs. In the month of July following, a day of fasting and prayer was observed by the church in view of certain "favorable indications of good to Zion." During the years that follow, we find that church meetings were regularly held, and from time to time persons were admitted into church member- ship, and in August, 1839, a committee of three, consisting of Deacons Barstow and Cook and Br. Elisha Bass, were appointed to converse with any members who might be guilty of breaking covenant or transgressing the divine precepts. In 1836, the church having considered the matter, caused to be printed a small pamphlet containing twenty-nine doctrinal articles of their creed and their covenant. Each article is followed by a list of passages from the Bible as proof texts. It seems that a certain promissory note called the Mellen note, had become a source of difficulty in parish meetings. By this note the parish was obli- gated to pay to the church six dollars annually for the expenses of the communion services. At a regular church meeting held Aug. 5, 1836, this note was relinquished and given up. In the summer of the year 1840, the meeting-house was painted white, and the stoves were removed into the entry. The aisles of the
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REV. ABEL G. DUNCAN.
house were also carpeted. While there were some signs of out- ward prosperity, we find the pastor mourning over the very low state of religion, so that in those days there were tides of relig- ious interest. During the last half of the year 1841, the church was engaged in a controversy with one of its members in regard to the doctrines, and at meeting after meeting the matter came up, and a committee was appointed also to wait upon him and report. This case of discipline was remarkable for the length of time consumed and the many meetings called in the controversy. Had the women been allowed to vote it might have been settled much sooner.
In regard to the favorable indications of a revival, a day of fast- ing, humiliation and prayer was observed March 9th, and March 25th we find the record that a series of meetings was held dur- ing the week, and Revs. Powers and Ward, of Abington, Lewis, of South Weymouth, Colman, of Scituate, and Perkins, of Wey- mouth and Braintree, preached. The weather was unfavorable, but the Holy Spirit was present and good results were manifest. April 7th it is recorded that REV. JAS. R. CUSHING, of E. Haverhill, held a series of meetings, preaching nine times. June 22d, Dea. Elisha Barstow died, after a few days' sickness, at the age of 73. It is recorded of him that he was a worthy man, "who for some months past has appeared very much devoted to the work of the Lord." We find the pastor in mak- ing this record giving expression to the feelings of his heart: "Ah! Lord God! Wilt thou make a full end of the remnant of Israel ? Turn us again and cause thy face to shine, and we shall be saved." At the close of the year 1842, the pastor left an interesting record. We find recorded for the first time, in the year 1847, the amount of monthly benevolent contributions for the year. The amount was $85. Twenty of this was given to the A. B. C. F. M., twenty to American Missionary Association, and twenty-five to American Home Missionary Society. We find also at the close of the year 1849, the same amount and the same appropriations. In the year 1851, the pastor met with a severe loss. Sabbath evening, October 12th, Mrs. Lucia Harlow,
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wife of the pastor, died at the age of 56, after twelve weeks of severe suffering, borne with Christian meekness, patience, forti- tude and submission. She was a descendant of Govs. Bradford and Carver, and possessed a spirit worthy of her Puritan stock. At one time during her illness she remarked, in an ecstacy, " Precious Savior! I shall soon be with him," and her last audi- ble accents breathed forth his name, "Precious Jesus." The following year the pastor was cheered by receiving into the church among many others, his two children, William Paley and Lucia Ann. In the year 1853, a donation of twenty dollars was given to the pastor by the Misses Sarah and Rhoda Ford to purchase a Pulpit Bible and Hymn Book for the use of the pul- pit. At a regular church meeting in 1834, it was voted that the pastor be requested to record the fact that the table and chairs used at the communion are the property of the church by regu- lar purchase with money raised by the church. In the year 1854 occurred the division of the church, "though," according to Rev. Mr. Allen, in his history of the church, "it was a friendly division, and as those mostly concerned thought to be a necessary one." Thirty-two persons, members of the church, were dismissed and recommended, March 10th, for the purpose of being organized into a church at the Four Corners, for the better accommodation of themselves and their families, and others living in that vicinity. Among them was numbered a large proportion of the church's most reliable and active sup- porters.
Soon after this division, it seemed necessary to the pastor to bring his long and faithful ministry in this place to a close. Accordingly there was read in the meeting-house Sunday, April 2d, 1854, the following communication to the church:
To the Congregational Church in Hanovor :
"Grace be unto you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ." I came unto you as soon as I was sent for, and for these twenty years and over have been laboring to fulfil the 'intent ye sent unto me' to accomplish ; and for the past two years God had
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