USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Gloucester > The book of the three hundredth anniversary observance of the foundation of the Massachusetts Bay Colony at Cape Ann in 1623 and the fiftieth year of the incorporation of Gloucester as a city > Part 6
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27
The first speaker was Mr. Jeremiah Foster, the Chairman of the Parish Committee, a descendant of Col. Joseph Foster, one of the original founders of this church. Mr. Foster's subject was "The Character and Public Services of the Men who Established the Independent Christian Church."
The second speaker was the present pastor, Rev. John Clarence Lee, D. D., who delivered the historical sermon. Among the persons present in the congregation attending this service were many of the direct descendants of the founders.
"The religious movement which led to the foundation of the Independent Christian church in Gloucester began about 1770. In that year, a man named Gregory brought to Gloucester a book entitled "Union," the author of which was Rev. James Relly of London. This book was an explanation of the doctrine which we now call Uni- versalism. The volume was lent to members of the Sargent family, including Epes Sargent and Captain Winthrop Sargent. It was passed from hand to hand and was regarded with interest and appro- bation, so much so that during the succeeding four years, a considera- ble group of people had become converted to a belief in the larger hope for all mankind which this book of James Relly set forth.
In the same year in which the book of Rev. James Relly was re- ceived in Gloucester, a young preacher named John Murray, who had been a member of Relly's church in London and held the same doc- trine, sailed from England and landed at Good Luck, New Jersey. In that place, Sept. 30th, 1770, he delivered his first sermon in America. During the next four years, Murray settled nowhere, but preached as
INNER HARBOR AND CITY FROM EAST GLOUCESTER
--
45
OF GLOUCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS
occasion offered an opportunity, in New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Newport, Providence, Portsmouth, Boston and elsewhere.
It chanced that when Murray came to Boston in 1774, those who regarded him with disfavor wrote to some of the Boston papers and denounced this English follower of Rev. James Relly, who had the audacity to believe and preach that all the world would be saved by the grace and love of the Universal Father of mankind.
Those in Gloucester who had read Relly's "Union," and through it had been convinced of the truth of the new doctrine, thus learned with glad hearts that a preacher of this faith was so near to them, and they sent one of their number, probably Captain Winthrop Sargent, to have an interview with Mr. Murray and to invite him to make them a visit here in Gloucester. This was duly arranged, and on the third of November, 1774, Rev. Mr. Murray arrived in this town. He was welcomed cordially and was entertained at the home of Epes Sargent which stood at that time near where the postoffice building now stands.
The group of Gloucester believers in the larger faith were still members of the First Parish Church, the town church here in Glouces- ter, and they sought the use of the church building in order that Rev. Mr. Murray might preach to them. At first, this privilege was grant- ed, but soon after, when it was known that Rev. Mr. Murray was preaching a doctrine so much at variance with stern Calvinism which was the prevailing belief of the church of that day, the use of the church was then denied to him; but for a period of nine days meetings were held in private houses. Rev. Murray also gave talks upon the interpretation of the Bible and prayed with those who gathered to wor- ship with him.
When he went away, a strong desire existed that he should re- turn and settle among the Gloucester believers as their pastor. Up to this time, Rev. Mr. Murray had never consented to assume the charge of any one church. He had preached in many places as he had opportunity, but here the people were so congenial to him, and they were so eager to have his service, that he consented to come. He returned to Gloucester in December, 1774, and, as it turned out, he re- mained the pastor of this local religious movement and of the church which sprang from it, for a period of 20 years.
During the Revolution, Mr. Murray gave his services to the Army, which was in camp in Cambridge, for a period of eight months. Many of the officers came to listen to his preaching and he formed at ยท time friendships that proved lasting with General Washington, .everal Greene, General Lincoln and many other officers of the army. His health giving away under his arduous duties, he returned to Gloucester; and he was enabled to bring succor and help to many of the poorer inhabitants, who at that time were suffering by the destruc- tion of the fisheries owing to the war. He went to the officers and raised a considerable sum of money, which, under the direction of the town government, he expended for provisions and other supplies, and thus helped the people in their extremity.
46
THREE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY
In the meantime, the work of the church proceeded and the meet- ings were still held in private houses, especially in the mansion of Captain Winthrop Sargent, who was his ardent supporter and intimate friend.
Notwithstanding the great service which Rev. Mr. Murray had performed for the community, his known opposition to the ancient doctrines of the older church aroused against him a very active theological enmity, and an attempt was made to couple with this an aspersion that his sympathies were with the British cause. This was untrue, for Mr. Murray had become an ardent American patriot, like his friend and supporter, Captain Winthrop Sargent. Nevertheless, at one time, the feeling against him became so intense that a mob sought to stone him in the street; and in other ways persecution was heaped upon his head. But by the exercise of a great forbearance and the exhibition of a manly spirit, he overcame to a great degree the feeling of those who tried to do him harm, and the religious movement which had begun, continued to grow and to gather supporters in even larger numbers.
Among the first supporters of the Rev. John Murray during the period from 1774 to 1785 were the following: Epes Sargent, Winthrop Sargent, David Pearce, Ebenezer Parsons, Bradbury Saunders, George Creighton, James Prentiss, Robert Watson, Thomas Sparling, Isaac Bennett, Solomon Babson, Isaac Ball, Edward Crossman, James Broom, Nathaniel Foster, Daniel Giddings, Joseph Herrick, Jourdan James, Isaac Lane, Theophilus Lane, Zebulon Lufkin, Daniel Sargent.
In the course of time, this liberal religious tendency awakened the active opposition of the First Parish Church. The followers of Rev. Mr. Murray were summoned and a demand was made that they re- turn to their church attendance and duties. The upshot of this matter was that in 1778 about 15 members of the First Parish Church who had become loyal supporters of Rev. Mr. Murray, were excom- municated.
Up to this time, Rev. Mr. Murray and his followers had not had the thought of establishing a new religious denomination but only of teaching the truth as they saw it, and giving the light of this faith to others that their hearts might be cheered thereby, but by reason of this action of the First Parish Church, it became necessary that the supporters of Mr. Murray should form a church. This was done on the first of January in the year 1779, when articles of association were drawn up and signed by all the members of the new organization, comprising 31 men and 30 women. At the same time, steps were taken for the erection of the meeting house; and in the following year, on Christmas Day, 1780, was dedicated the new house of worship. It stood near the corner of Main and Water Streets. It has long since been destroyed, but for 25 years it continued to be the place of worship of the Independent Christian church.
In the Providence of God, it came about that the Independent Christian church in Gloucester became the mother church of the Uni-
47
OF GLOUCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS
versalist Denomination in the United States. This was largely due to the loyalty and the active zeal of its members, and to the missionary work carried on by Rev. Mr. Murray, himself. He was not content to remain solely the pastor of the church in this place, but was an active apostle in a large field.
The doctrine of the final salvation of all souls had flourished in the early ages of the Christian church and was then held as orthodox. Even in the later times, when everlasting punishment was the dominant belief, there had been Christian teachers who believed in the final complete success of the Saviour of the world. In America, Dr. George De Benneville and others had promulgated Universalism prior to the coming of John Murray.
But it was the great work of Murray and the Independent Christian Church in Gloucester, that they were the founders of Organized Universalism. On September 8, 1785, they drew up the powerful document, entitled "The Charter of Compact." Rev. Mr. Murray laid a copy of the compact before the first General Convention of Universalists, held in Oxford, Massachusetts, in that month, and, after slight revision, it was adopted as the standard form of church organization. It combined the elements of personal religious freedom with loyal Christian fellowship. It gave strength and an admirable form of covenant to all the churches which adopted it as their model. It stands, indeed, as the Magna Charta of our liberty. In Gloucester, the Charter of Compact was signed by 99 men. It is kept as one of the most precious mementoes of our history.
The signers of the Charter of Compact of the Independent Christian Church in Gloucester, 1785, are: Winthrop Sargent, Joseph Foster, David Plumer, John Somes, John Stevens, Abraham Sawyer, Coas Gardner, David Day, Barnett Harkin, Benjamin Lufkin, Aaron Lufkin, John Stevens Ellery, Humphrey Morse, Epes Sargent, John Osborne Sargent, Benjamin Tarbox, William Card, Wil- liam Gee, Jonathan Low, Joseph Lufkin, Winthrop Allen, Joseph Saunders, Gideon Challis, William Pearce, Isaac Elwell, William Murphy, Nathaniel Bennett, Jonathan Trask, Joshua Plummer, James Blake, Joseph Everdean, William Wier, John Allen, David Sargent, Moses Bennett, Ebenezer Hough, Francis Low, Jesse Saville, John Babson, David Pearce, Benjamin Bishop, Jonathan Somes, Job Knight, James Harris, William Dolliver, Jr., Thomas Moore, Abraham Sawyer, Jr., Jeremiah Foster, Job Whipple, Caleb Pool, Philemon Haskell, Robert Watson, William Hales, James Steele, Samuel Lane, Benjamin Hale, Caleb Norwood, Samuel Sayward, John Low 3rd, Israel Trask, Thomas Mason, Isaac Trask, Thomas Foster, Francis Pool, James Saunders, Gloster Dalton, James Sawyer 3rd, Samuel Marshall, Samuel Moorhead, Richard Pew, Joseph Moore, Joseph Foster, Jr., James Babson, Peter Dolliver, John Pool, Ebenezer Pool, Nathaniel Sargent, Downing Lee, William Doyle, Michael Gaff- ney, Abraham Rowe, Jonathan Brown, Abraham Brown, Stephen Nor- wood, David Pool, Nathan Pool, John Norwood, Caleb Norwood, Jr., Benjamin Tarr, Jr., Thomas Babbitt, Samuel Morgan, Ephraim
48
THREE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY
Roberts, John Gott, Ebenezer Gott, Joseph Baker, Joshua Webster, Joshua Gamage, Francis Norwood.
(In accordance with the custom of that period no women signed the Charter of Compact. This list of women is far from being com- plete. The names are gathered from various records.) Catherine Sargent, Judith Sargent, Phoebe Parsons, Nancy Saunders, Lydia Prentiss, Anne Babson, Judith Sargent Stevens, Rebecca Smith, Jemima Parsons, Hannah Tucker, Jemima Cook, Lydia Foster, Eliza- beth Plummer, Abigail Trask, Elizabeth Haskell, Esther (Sargent) Ellery, Susan Sayward, Ann Ollive, Mary Hough, Nabby Palfrey, Abigail Dolliver, Rebekah Babson, Sarah Lufkin, Hannah Ball, Mary Sargent, Rebecca Parsons, Susanna Lane, Susanna Mellings, Mary Steele, Rebekah Ingersoll, Jerusha Jordan.
Another invaluable service which the Independent Christian church in Gloucester rendered to the people of this Commonwealth was its victorious struggle for religious liberty in the matter of church taxation. In the colony, all the inhabitants of a parish were compelled by law to pay taxes for the support of the parish church. After the Revolution the same custom prevailed, until the Universa- lists of Gloucester protested that their support of their own pastor should release them from paying taxes for the maintenance of the First Parish Church. Notwithstanding their protest, their goods were seized and the church tax was still imposed. For the permanent removal of this injustice, this church brought suit in the court in 1783 and pursued the cause with great ability until 1786, when a final verdict was rendered which gave complete victory to this church. It was by means of this struggle, that similar freedom was conferred upon all churches, of whatever denomination, whose supporters had separated from the tax-sustained parish church in each community. This act also led ultimately to the entire separation of Church and State, one of the noblest principles of the American republic.
After the happy marriage of John Murray and Judith Sargent Stevens, in 1788, they resided for some five or six years in the beautiful, historic house, now named the Sargent-Murray-Gilman house; which was a home of charming hospitality and of literary and religious in- spiration. In 1794 they moved to Boston, where Rev. Mr. Murray was pastor of one of the largest congregations in that city. He passed away in 1815, honored and beloved; and a striking monument marks his resting place in Mt. Auburn.
His friend and successor, Rev. Thomas Jones, ably continued the great work, as pastor, preacher, builder, opponent of slavery, and brother and friend of all.
In 1805 the corner stone of the present church building was laid; and the completed structure was dedicated with a service which in- cluded a prayer of dedication by Rev. Mr. Murray, and a sermon by Rev. Thomas Jones, on October 9, 1806.
Since 1841, twelve ministers have been pastors of this church, as follows: Revs. Daniel D. Smith, Frederick F. Thayer, Henry B. Soule, Amory D. Mayo, W. R. G. Mellen, George W. Skinner, Elmer
49
OF GLOUCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS
H. Capen, D. D., Richard Eddy, D. D., Costello Weston, William H. Rider, D. D., Levi M. Powers, D. D., John Clarence Lee, D. D.
Working with them, a long line of faithful men and women, as members, have carried along the Christian service, so devoutly begun by those great souls, who, in 1770, first caught the vision of God's universal love, obeyed the voice of the Spirit, and enabled others to believe that, after needful discipline, both here and hereafter, after due experience of repentance and reformation, all human souls will attain to rightousness of life, will find holiness and happiness, and live in heavenly peace and harmony with God.
HISTORICAL ADDRESS WRITTEN AND READ BY GEORGE BURNHAM OF THE SECOND PARISH NOW THE WEST GLOUCESTER TRINITARIAN CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
"In order that you should more fully understand the condition under which this church was formed, it will be necessary for me to take you back to Colonial times. The inhabitants of this parish had, for 60 years, been put to great inconvenience in attending public worship. Most of them were compelled to travel from three to five miles for this purpose. So, in March 1670, they petitioned the town for land on which to build a meeting house. The tract between Thompson and Bray streets was granted by the town for this purpose.
The second parish was incorporated June 12, 1716. On the fifth of October, Rev. Samuel Thompson was called to be pastor. He was formally ordained November 28, 1716.
The parish had already erected a meeting house when Mr. Thompson was chosen their minister. It stood on yonder high eleva- tion known as "Meeting-House Hill," and was a substantial building and served as a church for four generations, and outlived the parish itself. It was taken down in 1846 and was said to be the only church standing in New England in the shape in which it was originally built. Mr. Thompson was pastor of this church seven years, dying December 8, 1724. His grave is in yonder ancient cemetery, marked by a stone bearing the following inscription-"Here lyes buried ye body of ye Rev. Mr. Samuel Thompson, Pastor of ye 2d Church of Christ in Gloucester, Aged 33 years Dec. ye 8, 1724." That, my friends is the story of the first pastor of this church.
The next pastor was Rev. Richard Jaques. He settled in the ministry in 1725, and served as pastor of this church till 1764. Some of his descendants are still living in this community.
The next pastor was Rev. Daniel Fuller. He came to this parish in 1770 and occupied the old parsonage that stood on Bray street for several years, and was destroyed by fire a few years ago. The site is now occupied by the house of the late William Rust. He served this church as pastor for 57 years, and during that time he married
50
THREE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY
four hundred and nineteen couples. The first couple that he married was Samuel Robbins Bray and Mary Burnham, the last included the grandson of this couple.
Among the notable members of his church appear the names of Peter Coffin and "Tailor" Robbins. Some of you know the story of how "Tailor" Robbins drove the "red coats" from the Coffin farm. The story is this :- "Tailor" Robbins was employed upon the Coffin farm, when on the 5th of August, 1775, the British man-of-war Falcon under the command of Commodore Lindsay, made her appearance in Ipswich Bay, and the keen eyes of the sailors noted the fine herd of cattle of Esquire Coffin. They determined to secure some of them; but "Tailor" Robbins decided otherwise. As the boat neared the shore, raising his voice he gave the following command: "Wheel by battalions; fire by generations!" The astonished boat's crew rested on their oars, and thinking that an armed host lay hidden among the sand hills, turned and rowed back to the ship. Commodore Lindsay, as he sailed out of the bay, turned his guns upon the old church upon the hill and fired a parting shot.
This takes us to the year when the present church was organized. On account of the change in the form of preaching in the old church, those members who still wished to remain loyal to the old creed thought best to establish a new church; and this church was built and formally dedicated on January 1, 1834, and the first sermon was preached by the Rev. Mr. Cleveland of Salem, who took for his text the following: "Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." James 1, 22. From this time up to 1923 the church has had numerous pastors.
The first minister to occupy the parsonage was the Rev. Levi Wheaton, who came here in 1850. Mr. Wheaton was much interested in farming and leased the land now owned by Mr. Roberts opposite the church. Right here let me tell an amusing story: Several of his parishioners were helping him in the garden; one of them said to the reverend gentleman, "Mr. Wheaton, I want to ask you a question." "Well," said the good man, "I will try to answer it." "I want to ask you if you think Mrs. So-and-So will ever go to Heaven ?" naming a prominent member of the church. "Well," said the worthy gentleman, "Do you know the Good Book says we should judge no man?" "I know it, I know it, Mr. Wheaton, but it don't say we can't judge a woman." Mr. Wheaton was followed by Rev. Charles Smith who came here in 1859 and occupied the pulpit for several years. After this, the following gentlemen served as pastors, Rev. Mr. Cole, Rev. Mr. Pigeon, who died very suddenly at the par- sonage. The funeral service was held in the church, and Rev. Mr. Segur of Gloucester and Rev. Mr. Morehouse of Essex, attended the service, the sermon being preached from the following text: "Help, Lord, for the godly man ceaseth." Psalms 12:1. The next minister
FARM POINT, SAND DUNES, COFFIN'S OR WINGAERSHEEK BEACH. SQUAM POINT IN DISTANCE
Behind These Hillocks, Covered with Elms and Oaks, Col. Peter Coffin Assembled His Slaves and Citizens of the Countryside, and Repelled an Attack by a Barge Load of British Sailors, in August, 1775.
51
OF GLOUCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS
was Rev. Mr. Richardson of Rockport. Then came, as a supply, Rev. Luther Farnum of Boston.
We have now arrived at 1880, when Rev. Mr. Childs came to the church and also acted as pastor for the Magnolia church. Then came Rev. Mr. Goldsmith in 1886. Then came Rev. Mr. Alvord and Rev. Mr. Batchelder. In 1888, on September 2, under the work of Mr. Batchelder, a large number united with the church, and I will read the following clipping from the local paper: "There was a large attendance at the afternoon and evening service of the West Gloucester Congregational Church on Sunday. Rev. F. P. Batchelder who has been supplying the pulpit preached his farewell sermon. A solo by his mother added much to the impressiveness of the occasion. The services in the evening will long be remembered by the large audience who listened to them. Never in the history of the church has there been such a day. The sermon was from the following text, 'Blessed be the Lord who has blessed us' and was full of loving council and advice. Mrs. Putney sang 'Follow Me' very sweetly and we wish to thank her, also Miss Knight, for her success at the organ. Twenty-nine, mostly young people, united with the church, more than doubling its membership, which was twenty-three. A new pulpit set and Bible a gift from friends elsewhere, were dedicated. September 2, 1888, will be to the little church in West Gloucester with all its joys and blessings of this summer, a day never to be forgotten."
Rev. Mr. Jenness came to the parish and served as pastor for two years. He was followed by Rev. Avery Gleason, who stayed but a short time. The Rev. Mr. Jenness served again two years as pastor, also of the Magnolia church. He was followed by the Rev. Mr. Taft of Worcester who also founded the Bethany Chapel on Eastern Avenue. At the close of his pastorate the Rev. Temple Cutler of Essex served the church many years in a very acceptable manner. The Rev. Mr. Sanborn was the next minister who left to take charge of Bethany Chapel. He was followed by the Rev. Mr. Brownville a veteran of the Civil War and was greatly respected by all the community. His failing health caused him to resign. The Rev. Mr. Muttart of Auburn was next called and during his stay the church was moved and a vestry added and a very modern and convenient country church was established. He was called to Con- cord, N. H., to take charge of a larger church. Rev. Mr. Price was the next minister. He was a young man of much ability but he was called to a large church in Weymouth after a short pastorate.
The last few years there has been no settled pastor in the com- munity but services have been held in the church which still stands by the great modern highway as a monument to those sturdy people who wended their way through the path leading to the old church on the hill. Great effort is being put forth at the present time to have a settled pastor over this people that the Beacon light that shone from the old church in 1716 may still continue to shine and guide the people in ways of right and truth.
52
THREE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH "God's Hand in our History."
An historical sermon preached in the First Baptist Church of Gloucester, Mass., by Rev. Frank L. Wilkins, D. D., of Providence, R. I., on the occasion of the Tercentenary of Glouces- ter, August 26, 1923.
"Hitherto hath the Lord helped us." I Samuel, 7: 12.
Samuel, the statesman of old, looking back on the centuries inter- vening since Moses, thus characterizes his nation's history. It is a history of divine aid. "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us." Today we in common with other New England communities look back on the centuries since the whites settled this part of America. We desire fittingly to celebrate the period. In the spirit of the ancient seer and statesman, let us not merely rehearse the human acts of bravery and achievement-and they were noteworthy-but, let us devoutly acknowledge that the hand of God was behind all the human scenes and activities bringing higher and higher good to pass.
We see the hand of God in the choice of the time of settlement of New England-a choice in whose benefits this Cape shared. King James was on the throne of England and that meant a continuation of the Feudalistic order of centuries. As for the laws, they were favorable to the aristocratic class. It is said that when James was crowned, 30,000 debtors in the realm languished in dungeons. As for estates, about 6,000 families owned practically all the lands of England.
But at this time, God had already begun reconstructive measures destined to change all this. In recent years, Copernicus had discovered the movements of the solar system, thus widening man's view of the universe. New thinkers had been busy. Shakespeare had just closed his great life and his plays were on the lips of the people. Years previous to this time, Henry VIII, had broken the power of the Papacy in England, making Protestantism the state religion, and now James, favoring the translation of the Bible, has caused its rendition into English in the authorized version we possess today. As a result the very air of England was tonic with hope of a better day. No wonder that the English people migrating at such a time arrived in America full of hope and daring. Cape Ann was settled by men and women who had caught the spirit of the new era.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.